Special Olympics

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EW22  T h e

Va n c o uve r Co u r i e r  wednesday, february 16, 2011 special advertising feature

Special Olympics BC

2011 Floor Hockey Championship hits Vancouver On Friday and Saturday (Feb. 18 and 19), more than 300 athletes and coaches from all around the province will make their way to the UBC Student Recreation Centre to go for gold. in the 2011 Special Olympics BC (SOBC) Floor Hockey Championships. These two days of intense floor hockey action form the second of three parts of the 2011 SOBC Winter Sport Championships, a key event in the calendar of Special Olympics sports. Part of the four-year cycle of Special Olympics competitions, these winter SOBC provincial championships are drawing together athletes with intellectual disabilities from all corners of BC to compete in seven sports. At stake is the exciting opportunity to compete in national and international Special Olympics Games: athletes strive to earn the right to advance to the 2012 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Alberta, where they’ll compete for the chance to move on to the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in South Korea. This year, the 2011 SOBC Winter Sport Championships are being staged in three different communities. Last week, Coquitlam hosted the SOBC Ice Sport Championships; on Friday and Saturday, the SOBC Floor Hockey

Championship is being held in Vancouver; and West Kelowna will welcome the SOBC Snow Sport Championships on March 4 and 5. In the two days of curling, figure skating and speed skating action in Coquitlam, the on-ice action included many inspirational performances by dedicated and determined athletes. But the interactions off the fields of play was just as important. The athletes cheered each other on, shared high

GOOD LUCK to all

athletes in the

Championships

Hon. Ujjal Dosanjh, P.C., Q.C., M.P. Vancouver South 6408 Fraser St. Vancouver, B.C., V5W 3A4 t: 604-775-5323 • f: 604-775-5420 email: DosanU1a@parl.gc.ca

Good Luck

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34 E. 69th, Vancouver 604-325-3370 (at 69th Ave & Ontario St)

East Van Bottle Return Depot

2605 Kaslo St., Vancouver 604-255-4243 (at Broadway & Kaslo)

fives and made and renewed friendships that matter deeply. Many people with intellectual disabilities have felt marginalized by society and relegated to the sidelines in generic sports programs – but new worlds open to them through participation in Special Olympics sports programs and competitions such as the SOBC Winter Sport Championships. Matthew Williams, an 18-year-old SOBC athlete from Langley, delivered some breathtaking racing in the speed

skating events in Coquitlam and went home with four gold medals and one silver. He says SOBC’s provincial championships are an inspiring opportunity for athletes to achieve great things, forge friendships with people from around the province and enjoy life-changing experiences. For some competitors, their journeys to Special Olympics Games are their first-ever trips away from home. “It’s a very neat and positive experience for athletes,” Matt said. Expect the same kind of joy and the same inspirational atmosphere to be part of the 2011 SOBC Floor Hockey Championship on Friday and Saturday. Spectators are welcome to join in the fun free of charge! The games are set to run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 18) and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 19). Special Olympics BC is dedicated to providing individuals with intellectual disabilities opportunities to enrich their lives and celebrate personal achievement through positive sport experiences. In 55 communities around the province, we provide year-round training and competitive opportunities in 18 different sports to more than 3,800 athletes of all ages and abilities, thanks to the hard work of over 2,600 volunteers. For more information, please visit specialolympics.bc.ca.


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