More than 1,000 athletes from across the province, including more than 20 from the Peterborough area, are in Kingston this week for the Special Olympics Ontario School Championships.
Being held after a four-year pandemic-related hiatus, the event opens June 6th at Queen’s University with competition continuing through June 8th in track and field, basketball, bocce, floor hockey and soccer.
Johnny Byrne, school championships lead for Special Olympics Ontario, notes more than 7,000 high school athletes competed during the school year in a bid to qualify for the trip to Kingston.
Byrne notes the long and cherished partnership between law enforcement and Special Olympics is very much at the heart of this event.
Byrne is quick to answer when asked what he takes away from his involvement with Special Olympics and, in particular, events such as this.
Among those participating in the opening ceremonies will be Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith in his role as parliamentary assistant to the minister of tourism, culture and sport.
(Written by: Paul Rellinger)
