Special Olympics athletes and Medicine Hat police officers participate in a torch run and send-off on June 25, 2025. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

IN THE COMMUNITY

Special Olympics athletes get ‘awesome’ send-off to Summer Games

Jun 25, 2025 | 8:32 PM

Special Olympics athletes were joined by police for a torch run and send-off downtown Medicine Hat ahead of the Alberta Summer Games next month.

Elaine McDonald, who competes in bocce and slow pitch, said participating in the run made her proud to live in Medicine Hat.

“I always want to represent Medicine Hat,” McDonald said.

Another bocce athlete, Jessica McCombe, said she was encouraged by the run.

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“How does it make me feel? Feel awesome,” said McCombe.

The Medicine Hat Police Service has hosted torch runs, polar plunges and other events in support of Special Olympics for years.

Longtime organizer Const. Dave Allen said Wednesday’s run wasn’t about fundraising but instead the goal was to show support for the athletes before they fly to Grande Prairie for the provincial games.

Const. Dave Allen prepares to start the torch run and send-off on June 25, 2025. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

“It’s really just the relationships that we’ve built,” Allen said as the event got underway,

“We want to raise awareness with them, and we want to encourage them by giving them a good, solid send-off.”

A dozen police officers — including Chief Alan Murphy — ran with the athletes as they escorted the torch down First Street Southeast, around the public library and back up River Road Southeast to the police station where a barbecue was waiting.

There will be 20 athletes from Medicine Hat who will compete against over 2,000 others from across Alberta from July 11 to 13 in Grande Prairie.

Special Olympics athletes and Medicine Hat police officers pose for a photo before a torch run on June 25, 2025. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

The provincial Summer Games are a qualifier for the 2026 Canada Summer Games that will be hosted by Medicine Hat.

Brian Varga, chair of next year’s national Games, said he is hopeful a few locals can make the cut.

“We’re hoping that we have some Medicine Hat contingency that’s going to going to be part of the Canadian Games,” he said.

A few of the 2026 Games staff are also headed to Grande Prairie to learn more.

Special Olympics athletes and Medicine Hat police officers running on First Street Southeast on June 25, 2025. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

“They’re going up there to see what the Games is all about,” said Varga.

“They’re new to the Special Olympics so they’re going to get an eye full, and (it’s) probably a heartwarming event for them to come back and be full of vigor for our Games.”

While bocci athlete McDonald said she wants to make it to the national Games, she told CHAT News that she has a bigger objective while in Grande Prairie.

“I’m hoping to, but if I don’t, my goal is just to have fun and meet new people.”