Tourism, Culture and Recreation
March 3, 2009The following is being
distributed at the request of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador:
Countdown to the 2009 Summer Games in
Mount Pearl
Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador is proud to
announce that Mount Pearl has been selected as host city for the 2009
Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games.
To launch the countdown to these games the Games
Organizing Committee (GOC) and the City of Mount Pearl will be holding a
media event on Monday, March 9. At this event the GOC will introduce its
Games Patron, Minister Dave Denine as well as its Law Enforcement
Patrons who are the agency heads from the RCMP, RNC and HMP.
The media event will be hosted at the Mount Pearl City
Hall and will kick off at 12:30pm. There will be speeches by Mayor Randy
Simms, Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador Chair, Ken Marshall;
GOC Chair, Evan Ash and Games Patron, Minister Dave Denine. Immediately
following the formal proceedings a reception will be held.
The media event will also provide Games Patron,
Minister Denine with the opportunity to introduce the Games Law
Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Patrons. This is a land mark 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.
These Provincial Games will be the largest in the
organizations history playing host to over five hundred athletes,
coaches and mission staff who will be competing in the sports of track
and field, swimming and five pin bowling. Teams from across the province
and Labrador will travel to Mount Pearl from July 9-12 for the
opportunity to compete and be part of this monumental moment. These
games have added significance because they will be used to select Team
Newfoundland and Labrador that will be representing the province at the
2010 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in London, Ontario in July of
2010.
Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador is
dedicated to enriching the lives of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians
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 twelve 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.
- 30 -
