Antigonish, NS, July 30, 2018 – Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games, welcomes more than 4,000 visitors comprised of athletes, coaches, families, volunteers, and mission staff!

The games will commence with the Opening Ceremony on July 31, 2018 from 8:30- 10:30 p.m. at the Charles V. Keating Millennium Centre in Antigonish.

The Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games will feature more than 1,000 athletes competing in nine sports – athletics, soccer, swimming, basketball, powerlifting, bocce, rhythmic gymnastics, golf and softball.

These games are the qualifying event for Team Canada selection for the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games being held in Abu Dhabi in March 14-21,2019.

“Antigonish has been outstanding in rallying community support and engaging volunteers as we prepare for the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games said Sharon Bollenbach, CEO, Special Olympics Canada. “Athletes have been working hard, training for months and in some cases years, for the opportunity to represent their province/territory on this national stage. We are in for a very exciting week as we witness an incredible display of determination, resilience, sportsmanship and talent.

This is the second time Nova Scotia has held a National Games, having hosted the event once before in 1994.

“Congratulation to all the incredible athletes who have worked hard to be part of this Special Olympics Canada Summer Games. I celebrate your athleticism, determination and passion and I wish you good luck as you strive for personal bests. I also thank the many volunteers, coaches and organizers working hard to make this a most memorable Summer Games,” said The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport.

For a full competition and events schedule, please visit https://so2018.specialolympicsns.ca/competition/events-schedule/.

All events are open to the public; if you happen to be in Antigonish during this week, feel free to join what is an expected 5,000 spectators over the course of the week to cheer on Special Olympic athletes! You can still be part of the action even if you’re not in Antigonish by following Special Olympics Canada and the official Games accounts on social media @SpecialOCanada and @SpecialO2018.