Area athletes excited to compete in Special Olympics Canada Winter Games
There was a big send-off Monday afternoon as area athletes boarded a plane at the London International Airport to compete in the 2024 National Special Olympics Winter Games in Calgary.
Derek Spence with Special Olympics Ontario said it’s the first time the games have been held since 2020.
“It’s been a long time coming for these athletes, they’ve been working hard,” said Spence.
Many of the athletes are looking forward to competing and bringing home medals.
“I’m really excited,” said Sara Albers, a speed skater from London. “I’m going to be representing my country as well as my province and everybody is believing in me.”
Figure skater Breanna Williams of Windsor is confident in her abilities, but admitted she has some butterflies.
“A little bit, not too much,” said Williams. “Sometimes my hearts races and my hands shake but a lot of family are cheering me on.”
In all, there are 64 team members leaving from the London area and a total of 346 from Ontario.
The games start on Tuesday and will continue until March 2.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
DEVELOPING First responders relocated from Jasper National Park to Hinton due to wildfire activity
Vehicles and heavy equipment have been seen leaving Jasper National Park throughout Wednesday afternoon.
2 wildfires less than 8 km away from Jasper townsite, some structures impacted in national park
As the evacuation order continues for Jasper National Park, officials confirm that some structures in the park have been damaged by fire, but they can't confirm what those structures are.
WATCH LIVE Biden to use Oval Office address to explain his decision to quit 2024 race, begin to shape legacy
Insisting that 'the defence of democracy is more important than any title,' U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday will explain in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and to throw his support behind Vice-President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.
Wildfire north of Calgary prompts evacuation alert, highway closures
A wildfire is prompting evacuations and highway closures north of Calgary.