Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador 2009 Winter Championships

The Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador 2009 Winter Championships are taking place February 28 in Gander. The Provincial Championships will host over 140 athletes, coaches and mission staff from five different Special Olympics community-based clubs across the province. Athletes will be competing in the sports of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

�The Town of Gander stepped up and made these championships a reality. Their support and leadership continues to drive our organization forward by continually providing quality programs and competitive opportunities for our athletes� says Johnny Byrne, Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador, Executive Director. �Special Olympics provide individuals with an intellectual disability an opportunity to take the spotlight and achieve through sport. Provincial championships are the pinnacle for the majority of our athletes on many levels so we are thrilled to be able to provide them with that opportunity.�

The 2009 Provincial Winter Championships will take place in Gander on Saturday, February 28. The day long event will feature 80 athletes from seven community-based clubs from across the province taking part in snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The athletes will be supported by an additional 60 coaches, mission staff and respite workers. The opening ceremonies will take place at 11:30 a.m. at St Paul�s Intermediate School.

The championships will be officially opened when Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) members escort the Flame of Hope into the opening ceremonies. The Torch Run will be represented by members of the RCMP, Military Police and Sheriffs Office. This is a landmark year for the LETR in Newfoundland and Labrador as 2009 marks its 20th anniversary of raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics in Newfoundland and Labrador. Since its inception the LETR has raised in excess of one million dollars for Special Olympics.

The day�s competition will be held at the Gander Airport Nordic Ski Club which has been adapted to accommodate snowshoeing as well as skiing. The snowshoeing competitions will consist of the 100m, 200m, 400m and 3 x 300m relay. Cross -country skiing will feature 100m, 500m, 1km and 2.5km. Competition will run from 12:30 - 4:00 p.m. with medal ceremonies taking place throughout.

After the competitions the athletes will return to St. Paul's for supper and a dance prior to returning to their respective communities. Clubs participating in this winter championships are Corner Brook, Exploits, Gander, Trinity-Conception, Mount Pearl, St. John's and Bell Island.

Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador is dedicated to enriching the lives of Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans with an intellectual disability through sport. It is a provincial not-for-profit grassroots organization that provides sport training and competition opportunities for over 500 athletes of all ages and abilities. There are currently 12 community-based clubs that offer sport programs. Through sport Special Olympics offers athletes and families a sense of achievement and an opportunity to excel as they take on leadership roles within their community

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Media contact:
Johnny Byrne
Executive Director
Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador
354 Water Street � Suite 426
St. John�s, NL A1C 1C4
709-690-8334
Fax: 709-738-0119
johnnyb@sonl.ca

2009 02 26                           10:25 a.m.