Special Olympics Canada Summer Games leave lasting legacy in Medicine Hat

“I am so ecstatic. I don’t think I’ll stop smiling for weeks on end,” Sauer said.

She says the athletes were the biggest source of that joy throughout the Games.

“For so many reasons, for the joy that the athletes brought, I don’t think anybody can, nothing can compare to that,” Sauer said.

Sauer said every interaction with athletes and those involved in the Games reinforced what the event was about.

“Our cup is filled every time we went to a sports venue or communicated with anybody; every high five that we got,” Sauer said.

Sauer says what made her most proud was watching Medicine Hat respond to the Games, with hopes that its legacy continues well beyond the closing ceremony.

“Just to stand back in awe of how our community grows to the occasion, that I think I’m the most proud of because that’s the legacy we’ll leave,” Sauer said.

“We hope we’re encouraging people to participate in Special Olympics that Medicine Hat has, and jump in and support them, and just embrace what we’ve done, and be very proud of all that we’ve done,” she added.

“I think we’ll all be very ready to catch our breath finally after a very long, long time, but it’s also so very sad that it’s over already.”

Sauer credits the many people who helped bring the Games together, saying the event could never have happened through the efforts of one person or one group.

“It took a village, it took a community, our Board of Directors, and the staff, and the volunteers, and everybody who had to come together to make it happen. None of that happens by yourself,” Sauer said.

Volunteers were a major part of that effort, and Sauer said she was especially touched by how much they enjoyed being part of the Games.

“We’ve been thanked by coaches and athletes, but equally, we’ve been thanked by volunteers,” Sauer said.

“We’ve been thanked by [volunteers] for having been given the opportunity to be part of it,” she added.

“I thought that was also beautiful.”

Mayor Linnsie Clark says the Games created a noticeable sense of excitement throughout Medicine Hat.

“You walk around the community, people are smiling, people are laughing,” Clark said.

City Councillor Dan Reynish said he was particularly struck by the athletes’ enthusiasm, including the smiles, hugs and high-fives she saw while presenting medals.

The honorary chair of the Games and City Councillor, Brian Varga, said the event was the result of years of planning and a major community effort.

“It turned out to be great. Everybody worked their butts off and made it happen,” Varga said.

“Our budget went from $2.4 million to $3.8 million, so there was a lot of money that had to be raised by the people in our community, and we did it.”

Varga said the funding and support from the local community, different levels of government and other partners showed what Medicine Hat can accomplish when the community comes together.

“Always seems like in the end [the community] comes through and makes a great dream,” Varga said.

“This is something that we’re never going to forget; it’s going to be an unforgettable experience for you if you get involved in the Games, right? So that’s the good part.”

The Games also leave behind a physical reminder of the event.

The fate of the cauldron used during the Games is unknown, though it is believed to remain in Medicine Hat, with council members expressing support for finding a prominent location for it.

Varga said the cauldron can become a symbol of what the community accomplished by hosting an event of this size, and a permanent piece of Medicine Hat history.

The closing ceremony also included an announcement that Kelowna will host the next Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.

The evening wrapped up with a dance for athletes, staff and volunteers.

For Sauer, the Games also created connections she hopes will continue.

“We’ve made beautiful connections, and we want to be able to support their journey, and all the learnings that we have, especially with Canada, for giving us the gift of having this opportunity,” Sauer said.

Looking back on the entire experience, Sauer said she leaves the Games with an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude.

“I’m so proud, so thankful, honoured myself to have this opportunity, to have been part of a big team, and this whole leadership perspective, to be able to meet and collaborate and make it all come together,” Sauer said.

“My pride is over the top, of course.”

by Jett Schwaier

Special Olympics Canada Summer Games leave lasting legacy in Medicine Hat

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