Special Olympians get big sendoff for nationals

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This article was published 20/02/2024 (802 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A week ahead of their departure for the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Calgary, Brandon’s athletes were wished good luck at a pep rally on Sunday evening at the Riverview Curling Club.

After winning their division at the provincial championships, the curling team of Devin Leadbeater, Scott Madder, Tyler Yurchuk, Glen Skayman and Sandra Revet will play as Team Manitoba in competition at Cowtown’s North Hill Curling Club.

Local floor hockey forward Chris Jones is joining the Blue Devils team from Winnipeg as the Manitoba representatives in the sport.

Special Olympics organize sporting events for both kids and adults with intellectual disabilities across the world.

The six athletes were gathered together in the curling club’s hall to receive well wishes from Brandon West PC MLA Wayne Balcaen and Coun. Tyson Tame (Ward 10), as well as some boisterous rounds of applause from the approximately 50 people in attendance.

Minnedosa’s Shannon Ivey is set to compete in snowshoeing at the event but was unable to make Sunday’s pep rally.

Head coach of the curling team, Jodee Webster, said the team’s victory at the provincial level was quite an accomplishment with it having been a number of years since a Wheat City team represented Manitoba at nationals.

On Feb. 25, the six athletes will make their way to Winnipeg for staging, where they’ll be prepared for a flight to Calgary the next day. For some of the team, Webster said, it will be either their first time on a plane or their first time leaving the province.

Opening ceremonies are being held at the Calgary Stampede grounds next Tuesday. That same day, the Brandon team will play their first six divisional games.

Preparation for the tournament has been going on for months.

“In the summer, we were walking, doing physical training, cardio, going to the gym,” Webster said.

“When the ice went in in October, we were still doing our fitness and then we were on the ice twice a week. We are here (at the Riverview Curling Club) on Sunday nights and then we’re at the Brandon Curling Club on Thursdays.”

Webster said Special Olympics are important because it allows the athletes to compete against their peers.

“It’s amazing because mainstream athleticism wouldn’t allow them to do that,” she said. “Just to be representing Manitoba and putting that buffalo on their backs will be huge for them.”

Having a crowd turn out to see them off and show their support, Webster said, gives the athletes a lot of confidence and pride.

For Madder, it’s his second time at nationals, having previously competed in cross-country skiing.

He said he was excited to go, especially to play at a new curling rink and meet some new friends.

It will be the first time at nationals for Jones, who said it will be his first time playing with the Winnipeg team, though he has practised with them a few times already.

In his seven or eight years involved with Special Olympics, Jones said getting to meet new people from both similar and different backgrounds has been his favourite part.

Jones said he thinks his team has a good shot at winning a medal, “but if not, it’s just fine.”

Those wanting to keep an eye on how Westman athletes are doing at the competition can visit the official website at calgary2024.specialolympics.ca/

Webster said anyone interested in joining Special Olympics programming locally can find more information at specialolympics.mb.ca

Should the local athletes place high enough, they’ll have a shot at qualifying for the Special Olympics World Winter Games, being held in March 2025 in Turin, Italy.

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