More than 1,500 volunteers gear up for Special Olympics in Calgary

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Greater than 1,500 volunteers will gas the Particular Olympics Canada Winter Video games in Calgary from Feb. 27 to March 2, and so they’re prepared for an action-packed occasion.

Volunteers crowded the Telus Conference Centre on Sunday, receiving last particulars on roles and tasks for the video games. Over the 5 days, the video games will welcome greater than 4,000 athletes, coaches, staff help workers, households and associates.

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“The volunteers are the spine of this occasion, the complete execution of the video games is reliant on volunteers,” stated Karen Dommett, common supervisor for the video games.

With out volunteers, Dommett says athletes don’t get fed and scores don’t get saved. Typical volunteer shifts are 4 hours, and so they’ve requested for a 3 shift dedication from all volunteers, which Dommett says the bulk are doing.

“Calgary has such a wealthy historical past of volunteerism, spirit, and these Video games are a extremely nice instance of that staying alive,” she stated.

Particular Olympics excited by inflow of volunteers

For earlier video games in smaller cities, volunteer numbers have hovered round 700. Dommett attributed the uptick to Tourism Calgary’s involvement, a strong bid, and pent-up vitality since that is the primary post-pandemic Video games.

“The truth that we now have over doubled our volunteer raise, we all know that that interprets to the athlete expertise,” she stated. “We’re primed to be the most effective Video games that has ever occurred for Particular Olympics on a nationwide stage.”

François Poirier, co-chair of the Video games’ organizing committee says they’ve been really overwhelmed by the inflow of volunteers this 12 months.

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“It’s not simply the amount, but it surely’s the standard of people which can be right here to assist,” stated Poirier, who’s additionally president and CEO of TC Vitality, a presenting sponsor for the volunteer program this 12 months.

Particular Olympians to obtain medals at Olympic Plaza

Dommett talked about that the opening ceremony on the Nutrien Occasion Centre on Feb. 25 is certain to be nothing wanting magical.

“Maybe some of the magical issues is — on March 2 — we now have the Safeway Champion’s Celebration down at Olympic Plaza. That’s actually Calgary’s alternative to return soak up all of the efforts of the athletes.”

Athletes shall be taking the stage at Olympic Plaza to obtain their medals in the identical place that Olympians acquired them in the course of the 1988 Video games.

All volunteers take incapacity inclusion coaching, which helps them create an surroundings that’s greatest for the athletes, stated Dommett.

“They’re all going to expertise moments of inclusion and moments which can be going to vary their perspective round incapacity inclusion, and that’s going to remain in our neighborhood ceaselessly.”

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