Bowlers are set to topple pins and inspire spectators at 2019 Special Olympics BC Winter Games.
An enthusiastic supporter of Special Olympics, Gord Wiffen can鈥檛 wait to see bowlers give their all at the 2019 Special Olympics BC Winter Games, taking place in Greater Vernon Feb. 21 to 23.
鈥淚 love to watch the competition and the athletes just get so excited,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think there is anybody who tries harder or has a bigger heart than those athletes. They are just amazing, they really are.鈥�
The event will see more than 600 athletes with intellectual disabilities from around the province compete in eight sports. It will also mark the debut of 5-pin bowling at Special Olympics BC Winter Games, as it was previously part of the summer sports cycle. Vernon鈥檚 Lincoln Lanes, which is owned by Wiffen and his sister Sandi Soroka, will host the sport.
鈥淚t鈥檚 quite an honour,鈥� Wiffen says 鈥淲e are excited to be involved.鈥�
Lincoln Lanes has a long history of supporting Special Olympics. The facility is home to Special Olympics BC 鈥� Vernon鈥檚 year-round bowling program, and its athletes have been throwing strikes and spares at Lincoln Lanes for almost 35 years.
Wiffen has coached bowling and softball with Special Olympics and says he always enjoys spending time with the organization鈥檚 dedicated volunteers.
鈥淭hey are amazing,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e have had some fantastic people who have given their time to make it happen.鈥�
A big reason Wiffen loves bowling is because people of all ages and abilities can play together. He says bowling鈥檚 inclusive nature fits well with the spirit of Special Olympics, and the sport gives athletes opportunities to meet new people and be part of a bigger community.
Special Olympics BC 鈥� 91大黄鸭 athlete Parker Begg is one of more than 130 bowlers who will converge on Lincoln Lanes for Provincial Games. He has been training hard and will compete with the Region 2 team, which is comprised of athletes from the Okanagan.
鈥淚 am so excited,鈥� Begg says.
Begg has been a Special Olympics athlete for 10 years and this will be his first Provincial Games. He鈥檚 pumped to meet new people and spend time with his teammates. He also says the event will give him an opportunity to be more independent, as this will be his first time away from home. Begg says his goal for the Games is to make his team proud.
鈥淚 want to win and try my best,鈥� he says.
Wiffen encourages people in his community to come out and watch hardworking athletes like Begg compete with pride during Games.
鈥淐ome out and watch and have a good time and enjoy, because it鈥檚 good entertainment 鈥� it really is,鈥� Wiffen says. 鈥淵ou won鈥檛 see anybody not trying their hardest, that鈥檚 for sure.鈥�
The 2019 Special Olympics BC Winter Games is looking for volunteers, and Wiffen says volunteering is a great way to experience this inspiring event. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very rewarding to work with the athletes, it鈥檚 a very worthy cause,鈥� he says.
Volunteer registration is available at www.sobcgamesvernon.ca, or at the 2019 Special Olympics BC Winter Games office, located at VantageOne Credit Union, 3108 33 Avenue.
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