Games perfect fit for Special Olympics
Published Wednesday August 26th, 2009
Competition Athletes have integrated smoothly into national event
Team New Brunswick chef de mission for the 2009 Canada Games Jennifer Bent-Richard watched a 100-metre track race Monday.
What she saw brought a smile to her face.
The event didn't stand out from any other at the Games being held in Prince Edward Island. An average size crowd gathered to observe and Team N.B. athletes were cheering on their teammates.
An event just like any other.
The competition Bent-Richard was taking in was the men's 100-m Special Olympics race. The Special Olympics have been part of the Canada Games since 2001 in Regina, Sask.
The reason for her smile is how well the Special Olympics have integrated into the Games.
"There's not even a second thought, it's not a big deal," she said. "It's just part of the Games and that's what you want it to be."
Special Olympic athletes will compete in both track and field and swimming competitions this week.
Paule Pepin of Moncton is the coach of the Special Olympics swim team for the province. She said the benefits of having Special Olympians at the Games are two-fold.
"The Special Olympic athletes get to compete at a higher level," Pepin said. "New Brunswick is a small province and competition can be hard to find."
The competition brought out the best in her swimmers on Day 1 as four set personal bests in the pool.
The second reason is the interaction between all members of Team N.B.
"The other kids get to meet them, get to know them and respect what they do," Pepin said. "The more people interact with persons with a disability, the better it is for everyone."
With the seamless inclusion of the Special Olympics into the Games, both the chef de mission and coaches want to see it expand to include more events.
"I think the days of having separate events for everyone are not going to happen forever," Bent-Richard said. "It makes sense to have all different types of athletes here. It adds value."
Manager of the N.B. swim team David Frise has been working with Pepin during the Games and said the more people involved in sport the better.
"Whether you have a disability or not, the goal is to bring more exposure to the sport and getting as many people involved as possible."
As for members of the province's Special Olympics contingent at the Games, they're in P.E.I. for the same reason as every other athlete - to compete.
"It helps you improve," said Kate McFee of Sackville. "It makes you focus and gets you prepared for the next step."
Scott Langille of Tide Head said the size of the event is helping him prepare to further his education this fall at Mount Allison University.
"This my first time at the Canada Games and it's good to meet lots of people because I'm off to university in September," Langille said.
As for Moncton's Jonathan Henry he said he was, "pumped," to be part of Team N.B.
"I've met good people and everyone on Team New Brunswick are my friends," Henry said.
As for Pepin, the more she sees the interaction between teammates and the spirit it brings out in her athletes, the more she's convinced the Special Olympics should become a bigger part of the Canada Games.
"I think it's a must," she said. "You don't even have to think about it, they should be here competing with everyone else."
Disabled
Search Articles
More CE Network Sites & Partners:
