ANTIGONISH, N.S. - The eyes of the nation will be gazing upon the Highland Heart of Nova Scotia this summer.
The Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games will take centre stage, from July 31 to Aug. 4, in Antigonish.
The Games will welcome more than 900 athletes – from all 12 territorial chapters – along with 600 volunteers and 3,000 fans.
Here is some of our ongoing coverage to whet your Games appetite!
SLIDESHOW: Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games closes Saturday evening
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - “You have gone above and beyond,” Sharon Bollenbach, CEO of Special Olympics Canada, said in thanking Antigonish and Nova Scotia for hosting an “outstanding Games.”
Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games leaves indelible legacy
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - Carey Clannon of Team Nova Scotia provided as perfect an answer as possible, when asked about his favourite part of the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games in Antigonish: “Everything.”
More traffic downtown during Special Olympic Canada 2018 Summer Games
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - It’s not surprising to see downtown Antigonish busy on a Friday mid-afternoon, just not this busy.
SLIDESHOW: Special Olympics golden moment for Stacey Saunders
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - As she waited to step on the podium to receive her gold medal Saturday afternoon, the tears started to flow for Stacey Saunders. They were not only a reflection of joy and anticipation with what was about to happen, but also satisfaction with the journey of hard work and dedication that brought her to that moment.
Bluenose basketball battle at Special Olympics Aug. 3
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - Team Nova Scotia Halifax edged Team Nova Scotia Cobequid 22-16 on "Coach K" Court at St. F.X.’s Oland Centre Aug. 3.
VIDEO: Rhythmic gymnasts perform at Special Olympics Summer Games
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - Meet some of the gymnasts competing this week at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.
‘Unbelievable’ Special Olympics: fans, organizers praise Games and Antigonish
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - It is their first time in Nova Scotia – and now they may never leave. Sheila and Wes Bradford have made their way to Antigonish to watch their son, Jess Hansen, swim for Team B.C. in the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games in Antigonish. .
Antigonish swimmer makes a splash at 2018 Special Olympics Summer Games
ANTIGONISH, N.S. Elizabeth Adler, by her own admission, has never seen herself swim as fast as she has been at the 2018 Special Olympics Summer Games in Antigonish.
VIDEO: Athletes hit the track at Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games
ANTIGONISH, N.S.- Athletes hit the track in the 200m race at the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games in Antigonish.
Team PEI bocce player loves Special Olympics family
ANTIGONISH, N.S. Jennifer Hickox had plenty of support during her bocce game Thursday morning at the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games in Antigonish.
Newfoundland and Labrador athletes, fans enjoying Special Olympics’ experience
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - Eyes were fixed on the bocce field – interrupted, only occasionally, by the waving of flags from their home province.
Veteran Special Olympics athlete continues to shine
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - Veteran athlete Eileen Garvie, 71, showed her experience Thursday morning with a clutch performance in bocce during the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games.
Dr. Frank Hayden reflects on 50 years of Special Olympics
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - Antigonish is the latest stop on a half-century Special Olympics’ journey for Dr. Frank and Marion Hayden. As they watched athletics from the stands of St. F.X.’s Oland Stadium Wednesday morning, during the 2018 Summer Games, it didn’t seem that long ago. “It has been a very fast 50 years,” Frank, who is known as a pioneer of the Special Olympics’ movement, said with a laugh.
Special Olympics opening ceremony a grandiose celebration
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - Organizers promised the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games would be momentous … and they didn’t disappoint.
Final leg for Special Olympics Flame of Hope
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - The Law Enforcement Torch Relay completed its final leg of a cross-province journey with the Special Olympics Torch - The Flame of Hope - in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
Crosby donates $50,000 to Nova Scotia Special Olympics
Sidney Crosby helped kick off a big week for Nova Scotia’s Special Olympics athletes by donating $50,000 to the provincial organization.
Volunteers savour Special Olympics experience
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - Although they just helped serve supper to more than 800 people, on a blistering hot last day of July, you couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces.
SLIDESHOW: Tewksbury - Special Olympics ‘truly changes peoples’ lives’
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - When Mark Tewksbury met her four years ago, she was extremely shy.
He remembered the Special Olympics’ athlete barely interacted with her coach.
So much has changed.
SLIDESHOW: Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games open July 31 in Antigonish
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - Let the Games begin.
Photos from pre-opening ceremony preperation in Antigonish.
‘Oh, My Gosh, we wouldn’t miss it’: Fans roll in to Antigonish for Games
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - A pair of Newfoundland and Labrador flags flapped in the breeze as the white SUV crossed the St. F.X. campus in Antigonish Monday afternoon.
Mary and Ed Hynes, along with Maureen Brenton, made sure their provincial allegiances were known as they arrived for the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games
Last minute call for more volunteers for Special Olympics in Antigonish
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - The Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games begin tomorrow (July 31) in Antigonish and organizers are putting out an 11th hour request for additional volunteers for the national event.
“If you haven’t been contacted and are on the waiting list, please call 902-867-4969,” volunteer manager Lynn Delorey said on the morning of July 30.
Cairn created to celebrate Antigonish hosting Games
Here is a little Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games quiz; which of the following groups, from all across Canada, will be coming to Antigonish? Your choices are; (a) Special Olympic athletes, (b) Special Olympic coaches, (c) parents, friends and supporters of Special Olympic athletes, or (d) stones.
The answer – all of the above – including the odd ‘d’ choice.
Antigonish following Vancouver as hosts
Canadian communities Antigonish and Vancouver; one on the Atlantic coast, the other the Pacific.
One is Canada’s third largest city, the other sees its population, basically, double with the start-up of university in the fall.
Eastern Highlands well represented in athletics on Team Nova Scotia
Eastern Highlands will take center stage, in athletics, during the 2018 Special Olympics (SO) Canada Summer Games in Antigonish.
Ten out of 36 athletes on Team Nova Scotia are from the Strait region organization, along with two coaches.
Garvie continues Special Olympic roll
When it comes to being a multi-sport athlete, the likes of Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders could learn a thing or two from Eileen Garvie.
The Antigonish native has represented Nova Scotia in Special Olympics’ competition – in both the winter and summer national games – on many occasions and in several sports.
Kearney to swing for championship on home course
It is a case of home sweet home for Ryan Kearney.
The 33-year-old will tee-off on his course – the Antigonish Golf and Country Club – during the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.
Friends ready to make splash at Games
Jessica Gillis and Elizabeth Abler are preparing to dive into competition at the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.
The accomplished Eastern Highlands’ athletes are swimmers with Team Nova Scotia.
Senator’s passion for Special Olympics
When the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games come to Antigonish later this month, count Canadian Senator and former CTV journalist Jim Munson amongst those who will be traveling to town to take in the action.
Munson, the chair of the Senate committee on human rights, is a long-time advocate for individuals with an intellectual disability and a huge supporter of Canadian Special Olympic athletes.
Antigonish athlete named Team Nova Scotia flag bearer for SO opening ceremony
Ryan Kearney has been named the Team Nova Scotia flag bearer for the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games’ opening ceremony.
“It is exciting,” the Antigonish native said.
Pictou County prepares for national Special Olympics summer games
Cathy Mason was at work one day when somebody appealed to her to coach a Special Olympics floor hockey team. Twenty-six years later she is the chef de mission for Team Nova Scotia at the upcoming national summer games in Antigonish
Preparations in full swing for Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games in Antigonish
“Things are falling into place – the committees have everything well under control,” Champoux said May 17, with sounds of the Eastern Highlands Special Olympics’ regional competition in the background.
Theme song released as countdown hits 50 days
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.
Special Olympics Amherst athletes bring back medals from provincial games
Members of Special Olympics Amherst excelled at the 2018 Nova Scotia Special Olympics in Halifax last weekend.
Breaking barriers through sport: Young professionals compete with Special Olympians at charity tournament
She’s no stranger to the provincial podium.
But on Saturday, Kellan Deruelle wasn’t focused on winning medals.
Team N.S. preparing to make a splash at 2018 Special Olympics Games
As the 2018 Antigonish Summer Games approach, the Special Olympic Swimming Team for Nova Scotia is fine-tuning skills in the water to make sure they’re ready to go in July and August.
Whitney Pier man competing in golf at Special Olympics nationals in Antigonish
If you watch Derek Keeping hit a ball at Lingan Golf and Country Club’s driving range, it won’t take long to see one of the stronger points of his game.
A crack of the driver and he sails the ball far. Real far. About 275 yards and straight as an arrow.
Newfoundland and Labrador's Special Olympics soccer team is going for gold
At the Mount Pearl Intermediate gymnasium every Wednesday and Sunday evening this month, 12 athletes are training for a gold medal.
They’re Newfoundland and Labrador’s Special Olympics soccer team and for the past two years they’ve been getting ready for the upcoming 2018 Summer Games in Antigonish, N.S. July 31-Aug. 4.
Truro man preparing to compete in major swimming events this summer
Matt Hunter will be spending a lot of time in the water this summer.
The Truro man will be competing in Special Olympics, the Down syndrome world swimming championship and the senior provincial championship.
Fortune Special Olympian Tony Moores heading to national summer games
FORTUNE, N.L. — Tony Moores of Fortune is busy preparing himself for the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games to be held the last part of July in Antigonish, N.S.
“(I’m) running, training for shot-put, for javelin and I go over to Marystown to the Y(MCA),” Moores said.
St. John’s landmarks lighting up for Special Olympics
Cabot Tower and the Confederation Building in St. John’s will be among major landmarks, stadiums and iconic buildings around the world lighting up in red in a global display of unity today and Saturday as part of the Special Olympics’ 50th anniversary celebration.
Truro basketball player ready to compete at national event
Marc MacNevin is heading off to the biggest sporting event he’s ever taken part in, but he’s pretty relaxed about it.
The Truro athlete, who also works at the New to You, is heading to the national Special Olympics to play basketball this summer.
Mark Peddle and Team N.L. ready to take Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games by storm
He is going from produce to hopes of producing a gold medal during the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games July 31-Aug. 4 in Antigonish, N.S.
Mark Peddle, a veteran of the games, will represent Newfoundland and Labrador as a member of the soccer team. He is one of 40 athletes and 21 coaches from this province who will compete in the event.
Clarenville man ready to tee off at Special Olympics
CLARENVILLE, N.L. — Clarenville athlete Nicholas Chafe is excited to represent Newfoundland and Labrador at the national Special Olympics — he’s been working hard for some time now in preparation.
In an interview with The Packet, Chafe says he’s learned a lot while training to golf. He relays tips like “keep your head down and on the ball,” and how to make sure your drive doesn’t end up in the trees.
