600 students attend 16th annual Special Olympics track and field day
May 17, 2017
GUELPH, Ontario – The sun was shining for one of the best days on the school year calendar.
On Wednesday, more than 600 athletes from the Upper Grand and Wellington Catholic District School Boards were at St. James Catholic High School in Guelph for the annual Special Olympics Track and Field Day.
Now in its 16th year, the track meet has grown to one of its largest and most successful in the area. More than 600 athletes from 67 schools, representing 85 different classes, were in attendance.
This year’s event was also attended by more than 600 peer coaches, 250 staff members and more than 160 volunteers. A huge number of Guelph Police Officers were also out supporting the athletes and the event.
The theme of this year’s track meet was “Sport opens hearts and minds.” Before the athletic events began, students read the Special Olympics athlete oath: “Let me win – but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Events included the 25, 50 and 100m dash, running long jump, standing long jump, seated softball throw and a number of adaptive competitions.
The annual track and field day is made possible by the hard work of the organizing committee, Special Olympics Ontario, the City of Guelph, Community Living Guelph/Wellington, the Guelph Police Service and many volunteers.
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