Diversity and perseverance celebrated at annual Special Olympics Track and Field Day
May 18, 2016
GUELPH, Ontario – On Wednesday, staff and students from across the district came together for a day to celebrate diversity and perseverance.
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 15th year, the track meet has grown to one of its largest and most successful in the area. In addition to the 616 athletes from 67 schools in attendance, this year’s track meet was also attended by 555 peer coaches, 448 staff members and more than 100 volunteers.
Speaking at the opening ceremonies, Glenn MacDonell, President and CEO of Special Olympics Ontario, credited this event for helping spark a fire in many Special Olympians. Many of the athletes who will be competing at this month’s Special Olympics Spring Games, he said, got their start at this very track meet.
Before the athletic events began, Richard, a student from Ottawa Crescent Public School, read the Special Olympics athlete oath: “Let me win – but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Students and their peer coaches spent the day in the sun, enjoying companionship and friendly competition in events including standing long jump, running long jump, softball throw, seated softball throw and the 25, 50 and 100m dash.
The day also featured the presentation of a commemorative plaque recognizing the work of the Special Olympics organizing committee – many of the committee’s original members were in attendance.
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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For more information:
Heather Loney, Communications and Community Engagement Officer
Upper Grand District School Board
519-822-4420 ext.725
[email protected]