OLDS — Activities for Special Olympics Olds & District began with a bang last month.
Floor curling started on Jan. 6, followed by swimming on Jan. 12 and bowling Jan. 14 and 16 with the first big bowling tournament on Jan. 18 in Calgary.
That will be followed by about five more tournaments, mostly in March and April, says Karen Mengersen, chair of the local organization.
The swimmers were expected to attend a meet in Red Deer on Feb. 1, then will host one in Olds on May 24, which Mengersen says will serve as a kickoff for an international week in recognition of disabilities.
“We’re kicking it off with a major swim meet which will host swimmers again from all over the province who will be getting ready for the July summer games, which are in Grande Prairie this year,” Mengersen said during an interview with the Albertan.
Mengersen has been involved with Special Olympics Olds & District for at least 30 years.
During that time she’s seen it grow from about 60 athletes participating in just two activities -- athletics or bowling – just over 100 athletes today, involved in 11 sports.
“We’ve had some drop out, either because they moved or they were no longer interested or they passed away,” Mengersen said.
“But we have some new ones on board. We have a young man who who’s moved up to Olds from the ‘States and he’s living on his own, but under the direction or under the auspices of his sister and brother-in-law.
“And then I have a young lady who’s doing floor curling and ice curling and she is up from Carstairs.
“She was going to join Calgary, but it’s hard to get into their programs and they’re very, very busy, so she’s opted for a small town instead and she’s having a wonderful time.”
