Special Olympic athletes from Drumheller are on their way this weekend to the Alberta Special Olympic Games.
Coach Martin McSween said his team has been busy training, especially with conditioning, however they have only had two outings to hit the slopes.
“The on-snow pieces are critical,” he said.
The 2011 Alberta Special Olympic Games may be the start of a journey for some athletes.
“A lot of athletes have a lot on the line during these provincial games,” Special Olympics vice president of sport Johnny Byrne said. “Many of them aspire to reach the national games and the world games, and they’ve trained hard to achieve those goals. The enthusiasm, sportsmanship and excitement will be palpable.”
Of the competitors, more than 70 will continue on to the 2012 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games, which will be February 28 - March 2, 2012 in St. Albert. There are seven spots for alpine skiers to continue.
“This is going to be a particularly exciting national games for many of these athletes,” 2012 Games chair Dan MacLennan said. “St. Albert is an amazing city and is ready to create an extraordinary games experience, along with the skiing events that will take place in Jasper. It will be the first time in more than a decade that the national games have been held in this province, and we’re going to make them the best ever.”
Recently The Drumheller Mail reported McSween would be the Team Alberta alpine head coach at the Canadian competition.
Of the athletes that make it to the 2012 Canada Special Olympic Games, they have a chance to qualify for the World Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea in 2013.
