Twenty-five Special Olympics BC athletes and nine coaches arrived in the Cowichan Valley for the 2018 BC Summer Games 害羞草研究所� the same weekend as the 50th anniversary of the first-ever Special Olympics in North America.

Participating throughout the region, the group will represent one of eight B.C. zones in track and field, equestrian and swimming.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 really excited to get back and compete,害羞草研究所� said athlete Shayne Blandin, 25, from Qualicum Beach.

They will joining other Special Olympic teams on Saturday to commemorate 50 years since people with special needs took to Chicago害羞草研究所檚 Soldier Field for the first ever Special Olympics.

害羞草研究所淭he 1968 event is described as 害羞草研究所榙aybreak害羞草研究所� 害羞草研究所� the early stirring of a global movement for people with intellectual disabilities,害羞草研究所� Special Olympics BC said in a release.

The Chicago games, although at the time a city-local event, made it possible for athletes around the world to compete and have fun and not to be stigmatized, the group said.

In honour of the historic day, now celebrated as a Global Day of Inclusion, events are being hosted across the province. will be lighting up buildings and landmarks in red in honour of Special Olympics athletes.

On Saturday, Tim Hortons will be selling a donut designed by Special Olympics athletes from Alberta, with proceeds going to the charity.

For most of the Special Olympic athletes at the Cowichan Summer Games, the weekend is one of both competition and getting the chance to bond with athletes from all corners of the province.

Blandin, like some of the other athletes, is a veteran when it comes to big competitions, she said.

But for others, the BC Games marks a milestone in their athletic careers, usually as the first time they travel with a team so far away from home.

New Westminster害羞草研究所檚 Donovin MacCumber, 18, said he hasn害羞草研究所檛 been a competitive swimmer for as long as some of his teammates, but is ready to hit some personal bests for his season.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 just something good to make friends, meet new people 害羞草研究所� that害羞草研究所檚 what I look forward to when I come to these kinds of events,害羞草研究所� MacCumber said.

The athletes will participate in the after-hours athlete dance, sneak some practise in ahead of competition, all the while sharing a sense of excitement in hopes of meeting new goals 害羞草研究所� accolades 24-year-old Kayla Willms has looked forward to achieving since she had her first swimming lesson as a toddler in Coquitlam.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 so proud to be here right now,害羞草研究所� she said.

ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca
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