The Manitoulin Special Olympics snowshoeing team, which brought home a total of 15 medals from the Ontario Special Olympics provincial winter games earlier this year, has been selected to compete in the 2020 Canada National Winter Games.
The National Games will be held in Thunder Bay next year from February 25th to 29th.
Manitoulin Special Olympics coach Judy Olacke has also been named as one of the coaches for the games.
It is with great pleasure that we make the first announcement for the Team Ontario training squad for the 2020 National Winter Games which will take place in Thunder Bay, Ontario from February 25-29, 2020.
“The National Games will host 1,185 athletes, coaches and mission staff from across the country,” stated Team Ontario Chef de Mission Juli Prokopchuk Brattan when making the announcement.
Team Ontario is comprised of 251 athletes, 70 coaches, and 16 team management.
The athletes named to Team Ontario will begin their training immediately in preparation for the National Games with the goal to be selected to Team Canada for the 2021 World Winter Games to be held in Sweden, says Prokopchuk.
“We feel the members of Team Ontario will represent our province with dignity, respect and with great enthusiasm to perform at their highest ability. We are very excited to be working with the members for National Games.”
Athletes Bruce Van Horn of Mindemoya, Dayne Tipper of Mindemoya, Mark Dokum of Wikwemikong, Normand Daoust of Mindemoya have all been named to the Ontario team to compete at the National Games following their multiple wins at the provincial games held in Sault Ste. Marie this past February.