Athletes are hoping they will be selected to represent Alberta at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Germany / Photo: CHAT News Today

By Meghan Cobb

Medicine Hat bocce players hope to punch their ticket to Special Olympic World competition in Berlin

Aug 21, 2022 | 5:02 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Members of Medicine Hat’s Special Olympic bocce team are hoping they might be selected to represent the province and country in Germany next year.

The local Special Olympic chapter hosted a qualifying tournament on Saturday with athletes from Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Edmonton and Whitehorse all vying for a spot at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games.

“The thing about Special Olympics is we don’t just look at who’se at the top of the bracket,” said Jaelynn Funk, Special Olympics Medicine Hat bocce coach. “We look at the athlete as a whole – their attitude, are they ready to travel, can we endorse them?”

Funk says there are many great athletes in the program, adding Special Olympics Alberta will have a difficult time selecting who will receive the honour of going to Germany.

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The athletes will be chosen in two weeks’ time, but Funk says the qualifying tournaments are about much more than winning.

“..it’s connecting and the joy that we have when we come together,” explained Funk.

Mallory Pigage is an athlete who traveled with her team from the Yukon to compete in the tournament. There aren’t many opportunities for those teams to compete with a range of other organizations, so the trip to Medicine Hat was even more important.

“I just like to meet new people,” said Pigage. “That’s what I do. And to shine and show off my skills.”

Pigage was joined by four of her teammates and her coach Debbie Sumner. Sumner says finding competitions after the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge, so the women were eager to play against the Alberta teams despite some initial trepidation.

“There was a bit of nervousness to start with,” said Sumner. “We did a lot of different breathing exercises and how to handle when they felt stressed, and making sure they know it’s for fun and they’re going to meet some new friends.”

Kyle Polvi, an athlete from Lethbridge, shares Pigage’s enthusiasm for the sport and comradery, saying he’s excited to “put up a good fight and see if [he] does qualify for Germany.”

“I do have some friends in Medicine Hat,” said Polvi. “I’m excited to see my friends that I haven’t seen in a long time.”

The host team reciprocates the excitement of the visiting teams to reconnect after the pandemic, but for some athletes, the chance to go to the World Games is still top of mind.

“I hope someone from Medicine Hat goes to the worlds,” said Brian Dodds, an athlete from the host city.