Twitter: @SpecialOAlberta

By Brian Konrad

Games were to take place in 2022

Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat cancelled

Sep 8, 2020 | 10:54 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost every area of Canadian life, and that includes Special Olympics Canada.

In the face of the financial impact of the pandemic and the uncertainty of when mass gatherings will be allowed, the decision has been made to cancel the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games scheduled for Medicine Hat in 2022.

The decision is a result of the difficulty in holding regional competitions this year, which are part of the typical pathway to hosting provincial and territorial games in 2021, and subsequent National competitions.

Special Olympics Canada says the cancellation of the 2022 event in Medicine Hat allows the group to forge a new path that it hopes will see it not only survive, but thrive during COVID-19 and beyond.

In a release, the City of Medicine Hat says it is now consulting with stakeholders and adjusting plans.

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City representatives expressed both understanding and disappointment in the announcement.

“Of course we are disappointed – both for the athletes and our community,” said Mayor Ted Clugston. “Hosting an event like this is a tremendous opportunity. The benefit to our residents and businesses is significant, and we were looking forward to showcasing our beautiful city to visiting athletes, coaches, staff and families. But with the current challenges and uncertainty in place, we certainly understand the decision.”

City councillor and Games Organizing Committee Chair Brian Varga says the city be back in the running as a host city when Special Olympics Canada can get back to traditional competitions.

It would have been the third time Medicine Hat had hosted a National Special Olympics event.

The full statement from Special Olympics Canada is below:

Special Olympics Canada’s focus on sport, quality training and competition have become our trademark within the global movement. We have a performance pathway from local, regional, Provincial/Territorial (P/T), National to Worlds that requires athletes to be well trained and results in meaningful competition. That said, as athletes advance along the performance pathway, we know fewer athletes qualify and compete at each stage. In a time of limited fiscal resources, and given the uncertainty of when mass gatherings will be allowed, we must prioritize those activities that reach and have an impact on the vast majority of our athletes and volunteers.

While competition is an integral part of sport, Special Olympics Canada, together with the Chapters, has made the decision to cancel the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games 2022. Due to COVID-19, there will be no regional competitions in 2020 and the majority of Chapters are not planning to host Provincial/Territorial Games in 2021. As a result, our “typical” pathway for athletes to qualify for National Games is not possible. Major multi-sport games are a large investment whether at the Provincial/Territorial or National level, and with financial shortfalls expected to have multi-year implications, we need to protect the long-term viability of Special Olympics Canada and each Chapter.

National Games are important to Special Olympics Canada and the Chapters. While we have to put a pause on hosting multi-sport games for this cycle, we intend to host National Games in the future – when fiscal circumstances and safety protocols permit. In the meantime, we will explore and look for new competition models. We are committed to investigating alternate, cost-effective virtual and/or small group competition formats that continue to inspire athletes to further develop their skills and set goals that lead to opportunities to compete at their very best.