Day 4 of the competition marked the conclusion of outdoor sports, with medals presented in snowshoeing, cross-country, and alpine skiing. The day also saw the final matches in 5-pin bowling and figure skating, with the closing medal matches in curling and floor hockey scheduled for later today.
To honor the achievements of all the athletes, attendees and members of the public will gather at Safeway’s Champions Celebration at Calgary’s City Hall Atrium. The event will be a celebration of the dedication and hard work of the participants before the Closing Ceremony this evening, followed by the traditional Athlete Dance.
Watch the Highlights from Day 4
Medal Count as of Mar 1
Meet Father-Daughter Coaching Duo, Mark and Isabelle
Watch Livestream of the Final Day of Competition
More than 46,000 viewers tuned into the livestream of competition yesterday. Tune in for the final medal matches for bowling and floor hockey today:
Games Participants attend Complimentary Healthy Athletes Program
At the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024, nearly all 800 participating athletes underwent complimentary health screenings in five disciplines: Opening Eyes (vision care), Special Smiles (oral health), Strong Minds (emotional health), FUNfitness (physical health), and Health Promotion (nutrition and healthy habits). These screenings, administered by volunteer healthcare providers, aim to revolutionize the way health systems engage with individuals with IDD and have demonstrated remarkable success in creating awareness and improving access to healthcare for this community.
New Healthy Relationships Discipline Piloted at Games in Calgary
At Special Olympics Canada we believe that all people have the right to healthy and safe relationships. Which is why in addition to the 5 Healthy Athlete disciplines that were operational throughout the Games in Calgary, a new program was piloted called 'Healthy Relationships'.
"We've received feedback from coaches, athletes and caregivers highlighting a gap in sexual education knowledge and a shortage of applicable resources for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities," explains Carly McMorris, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Strong Minds.
The new discipline aims to educate athletes on various aspects of building a Healthy Relationship, including boundaries, recognizing healthy and unhealthy dynamics, as well as understanding the distinctions between private and public spaces.
"One athlete explained to me that he disliked being hugged but didn't know how to express it. I was able to provide him with strategies to navigate such situations and reassure him that it's perfectly acceptable to say no," shares Heather Cobb, Sexual Health Educator and Healthy Athletes volunteer.
Quotes of the Day
Meet Team Ontario bowler Vance Montgomery, who travelled to the Games in Calgary with his team from Thunder Bay. Bowling has been Vance’s passion for over half of his life. When asked when he first took up the sport with Special Olympics, he confidently answered, "June 7, 1999."
He shared that his mom and dad originally signed him up to give him an activity to get out into his community and meet new people – and he’s never looked back. Now 25 years later, he has earned the opportunity to compete at his first-ever National Games.
In the Media
As the Games approach, athletes from across Canada have been making headlines in various news outlets. Here are some notable features:
CTV Calgary: Fierce competition at 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games
Calgary Herald: 'I’m looking to win a gold medal for my mom': Special Olympics athlete and their families share their excitement for the Games
Calgary Sun: Special Olympics athletes and their families share their excitement for the Games
Be a Fan
Follow all the highlights and join the conversation to show your support for the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games 2024 on social media! Follow us on our official channels and use the hashtag #SOCWG2024 to share your messages of encouragement, photos, and videos.
Follow Special Olympics Canada on Social Media:
Follow SOC Winter Games Calgary 2024 on Social Media:
Share your Games at a Glance
If you enjoyed this newsletter, please consider forwarding it to your friends and colleagues so they can sign up to receive their own copy.
Stay tuned for all the latest news and highlights from the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games 2024!
Games at a Glance Newsletter Sign Up:
We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our athletes at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024!