A strong contingent of Delta athletes will soon be heading to Kamloops for the 2023 Special Olympics Winter Games.
The event, slated for Feb. 2 to 4, will feature 500 athletes with intellectual disabilities competing with pride in the eight SOBC winter sports: five-pin bowling, alpine skiing, cross country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing, and speed skating. The participating athletes will be supported by approximately 250 volunteer coaches and mission staff.
The Games are the first for B.C. Special Olympics since prior to COVID-19. In winter 2022, athletes competed in various regional events to qualify for the 2023 SOBC Winter Games.
“We’re thrilled to be returning to Provincial Games action, after a pandemic pause, and we’re beyond thrilled to be returning to Kamloops,” says SOBC Vice President, Sport, Lois McNary. “Canada’s Tournament Capital truly knows how to host exceptional sport experiences. Special Olympics BC athletes and volunteers cannot wait to come back together for Provincial Games. The joy surrounding these Games will be off the charts.”
The Delta contingent includes:
Athletes:
five-pin bowling
David Lebedovich and Tyler Coe
Alpine skiing
Cory Duhaime
Curling
Artisia Wong, Chelsea Kaake and Kim Davies
Figure skating
Marc Theriault
Floor hockey
Andy Chan, Coby Dandridge, Dalton Boon, Marshall Obratoski, Paul Scholwfield and Scott Fattedad
Head coaches
Doug Henderson (five-pin bowling), Michael Duhaime (alpine skiing), David Shorter (curling), Lauren Howlett (floor hockey).
Assistant coaches
Jenni Duhaime (alpine skiing), Mark Smith (curling), Anne Howlett (floor hockey), Joan Hayes (floor hockey).
