Hundreds of athletes, coaches and volunteers attend the 18th annual Special Olympics Track and Field Meet
May 15, 2019
GUELPH, Ontario – The weather finally cooperated and the sun came out for a great day of fun and celebration.
On Wednesday May 15, hundreds of student attended the annual Special Olympics Track and Field Meet.
Now in its 18th year, the event brings together students and peer coaches, volunteers, staff and community members from the Upper Grand District School Board and Wellington Catholic DSB. The theme of this year’s event was “Track and Field of Dreams.”
This year, 671 athletes and 546 peer coaches from 80 schools participated in the meet, aided by 130 volunteers.
The day kicked off with the Parade of Champions, led by Peter Piper on the bagpipes, students from John F. Ross CVI carrying the Special Olympics flame and banner, and members of the Guelph Police Service. Then hundreds of athletes and their coaches and teachers marched around the track.
Once the games began, students participated in a variety of events including shot put, running and standing long jump, seated softball throw, basketball shooting, the 25M walk/run, 100, 200 and 400M track events, and more.
This year, 50 students who would normally attend the Special Olympics Track and Field Meet were not present as they were representing the region at the 2019 Special Olympics Ontario Invitational Youth Games in Toronto. That event brings together 2,000 student-athletes from around the world and this year was the first time high school students had the opportunity to participate.
Congratulations to all our athletes and thank you to the staff, peer coaches, and volunteers who make the annual Special Olympics meet possible.
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