Special Olympic School Championships hailed as a success
Ursuline College Chatham’s Luc Arbour holds aloft the Special Olympics torch, along with Chatham-Kent police chief Gary Conn, during the Special Olympics Ontario School Championships closing ceremony, held on June 12, 2024 at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre. Photo credit: David Gough, CKXS News.
Chatham-Kent knocked it out of the park.
That was the message that Special Olympics Ontario’s Cody Jansma put forward during the closing ceremonies of the Special Olympics Ontario School Championships held at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre on Wednesday night.
Jansma, the vice president of operations, had nothing but praise for the organizers who helped the two-day event run smoothly. He commended Games Manager, Chatham-Kent Police Sgt. Jason Herder, for his organizational efforts, making sure everything ran smoothly.
The annual event featured more than 750 high school athletes from across Ontario in five sports: bocce, basketball, floorball, soccer, and track and field.
Belleville’s Alex Austin competed in bocce. She didn’t hesitate when asked if she had fun competing.
“Yes, I want to do it again,” Austin said.
She said the best part was the entire experience of participating in the games.
The games will be held in Ottawa next year. As part of the closing ceremonies, the police chiefs of Chatham-Kent and Ottawa took part in a changeover ceremony. Police services throughout Ontario have been hosting the Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Games since 1996. They fundraise for the games as well.
Chatham-Kent police chief Gary Conn said the past few days have been busy—but a good busy.
“It has been hectic, …but a good hectic.”
Conn, retiring at the end of the week, noted the energy at the games over the past two days.
“The extreme smiles and the high-fives from all the athletes. It’s so infectious that you can’t help but be pleased and put on a smile yourself,” Conn said.
These are the first Special Olympics Ontario provincial championships held in Chatham-Kent since 1997. The events were held across the municipality. Basketball and bocce were held in Ridgetown, while the three other sports took place in Chatham. The athlete housing was at the University of Guelph Ridgetown campus.