ANTIGONISH, N.S. - Today marks the 50 day countdown for the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games, which are coming to Antigonish from July 31 to Aug. 4.
As Special Olympics Canada marks its 50th anniversary, the Antigonish Games Organizing Committee (GOC) is releasing Let Me Win, the 2018 Summer Games’ theme song and an accompanying video.
Written and recorded by multiple East Coast Music Award winning artist Charlie A’Court and a group of Special Olympic athletes from across Nova Scotia, Let Me Win is based on the Special Olympics motto by the same name. The athletes and A’Court recorded the theme song at JUNO award winning musician Joel Plaskett’s New Scotland Yard Studio, in late April. Award winning musician Chris Kirby produced the track and Mirror Image Media (Meaghan and Marie Wright) taped and produced a video of the day.
“Recording this song was such a joy,” A’Court, who grew up in rural Nova Scotia, said.
“The athletes representing Nova Scotia are so dedicated and they really brought energy and inspiration to the studio. Together, we recorded a song that reflects their strength and spirit.”
GOC co-chair Marc Champoux, a long-time friend of A’Court, jumped at the chance when A’Court asked if there was something he could do to assist with the Games.
“This was truly a team effort with Charlie, already aligned with so many worthy causes in the province; inviting and welcoming these great athletes who had a fantastic day contributing to the project along with award winning individuals from the music industry,” Champoux said.
“The results not only show how much fun, energy and enthusiasm went into the song and video but the talent involved from athletes, musicians, technicians and videographers.
“It was nice to have Mirror Image Media, who are graduates of St. F.X., involved in the videography and who always seem have such a wonderful way of bringing projects to life.”
The GOC hopes the video and song will be widely circulated and contribute to having the public come out and cheer on the athletes.
Athletic competitions will take place in nine events on the campus of St. F.X., Antigonish Golf and Country Club and the Town of Antigonish ball fields, located at Dr. J. H. Gillis Regional High School. Thorough work has been ongoing on campus and around the community to create accessible facilities in anticipation of the Games.
This is the second time the Games will be held in Nova Scotia; Halifax played host in 1994.
It will be the first time the Games are being held in a smaller community. Larger and medium-sized cities, such as Halifax, have been the traditional locations, but confidence in being shown in Antigonish which was cited for the quality of regional and provincial Games, and other events, it has hosted in the past.
A complete schedule of events will soon be available at http://so2018.specialolympicsns.ca.