Special Olympians head to the hat

St. Albert is sending a full squad of athletes to the Special Olympics.

This weekend 37 athletes and 16 coaches and volunteers will be travelling down to Medicine Hat to compete in the Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games.

The local athletes will be competing in basketball, track, swimming, bowling and softball.

Phil Zuk, a veteran athlete, is heading to his ninth summer games. He has also competed six times in the winter event. The 40-year-old has been competing in different events since he was 12. Along with softball, Zuk has competed in bowling and field hockey, but decided to focus on just softball this season.

Zuk continues to play in the Special Olympics every year because he always has fun and it’s a great way to make friends.

“It gives people like me an opportunity to do good and show what we can accomplish,” Zuk said.

Zuk, the catcher, practices once a week with his team. He said that he is most looking forward to meeting new friends and making memories but also wants to do well.

“I hope we do good. I hope we come back with a medal,” Zuk said.

Chelsee Pedwell, co-chair of the St. Albert chapter of the Alberta Special Olympics said that the close bonds between the players is what keeps them coming back year after year.

“It’s a sense of family and sense of community. They’re all friends with each other and we travel and do events together. It’s that sense of belonging — and we are a lot of fun,” Pedwell said.

Zuk and the other athletes had to qualify for the games last summer in provincial tournaments for their events. Since then the St. Albert squad has had their eye on the prize and they have been practicing since last fall.

The softball team has held weekly practices and played a practice game to get ready for the event. They started practicing indoors in April and then moved outside once the weather warmed up. The swim team extended their training season to prepare for the games and every team ramped up their training in the weeks leading up to the big competition.

Pedwell said that the games are so important because it helps support a group that is sometimes marginalized by society and gives them a sense of belonging.

“It gives these athletes a place to participate, to do their sport, to make friends, to have a team to belong to,” Pedwell said.

Pedwell said the games also help recognize athletes and promote an active and healthy lifestyle.

The Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games are run once every four years. More than 900 athletes will be competing in 11 different events over the weekend. The events take place from July 7 to 9 in Medicine Hat.