(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Ashley Lavallee-Koenig

No Registration Deadline

Registration open for Special Olympics summer programs

Feb 10, 2025 | 12:00 PM

Special Olympics Red Deer is ramping up for an exciting summer season, and registration for its programs is now open.

The spring/summer programming runs from May 1 to June or July, depending on your sport. Registration will remain open well into the season, so if you have a late start, you can still participate.

Sports offered for the season include competitive and recreational softball, track and field, soccer and pickleball. Golf and bocce are offered as well, however, they are already full for the season.

From July 11-13, athletes will head to the Provincial Summer Games in Grande Prairie, the winners of which will then make up Team Alberta at the Canada Summer Games in 2026 in Medicine Hat.

From there, successful athletes will represent Team Canada at the World Games in 2027 in Chile.

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Special Olympics operates in 170 countries, said Jerry Tennant, chairman of the Red Deer affiliate.

He added, “When they get to the World Games, it’s a big event.”

As opposed to age groups, Special Olympics athletes train and compete in ability groups of A, B, or C.

“So, it’s not just the best of the best that always go,” Tennant said. “If you’re in your ability group and you outperform what the standard is then there’s a good chance that you could go to the nationals or even the internationals.”

This way, Tennant said, everyone has a chance to succeed, not just the top tier.

Special Olympics Red Deer is sending about 60 athletes and 20 coaches to Grande Prairie for provincials this summer.

For more information, or to register, visit the Special Olympics Red Deer website.

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