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By Corey Fischer
Let The Games Begin!

Let The Games Begin!

Feb 22, 2019 | 9:10 AM

Thursday night’s opening ceremony kicked off the Special Olympics BC Winter Games in Greater Vernon.

Vernon athlete Justin Chippendale and Vernon North Okanagan RCMP Superintendent Shawna Baher lit the Games torch, in a cauldron made by a Vernon business, and will be used for future Games.

More than 800 athletes, coaches and officials are here for two days of fun and competition in eight sports Friday and Saturday.

Venues include Silver Star Mountain for alpine skiing, cross country skiing at Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre, speed skating at Kal Tire Place North, curling at the Vernon Curling Club, figure skating at the Priest Valley Arena, floor hockey at the Priest Valley Gym, and 5-pin bowling at Lincoln Lanes.

Eight athletes are from the local area competing in four sports: Mary Adamson, snowshoeing; Colby Bell, alpine skiing; Matthew Bisschop, cross country skiing; Dominique Borgeaud, cross country skiing; Justin Chippendale, snowshoeing; Crystal Rohrer, alpine skiing; Steven Schwebbach, floor hockey; and Justin Sigal, cross country skiing.

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Find out more about the local athletes here

Organizers expect to award 1,000 medals, and dish-out 8,500 meals by the time it ends Saturday.

Justin Chippendale and RCMP Superintendent Shawna Baher light the Games Torch at Kal Tire Place.

by Corey Fischer

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