November is Special Olympics Month
To register as an athlete or volunteer, visit www.specialolympics.ca
TSN is once again honoured to recognize the inspiring efforts and accomplishments of Special Olympics athletes, coaches and volunteers from across Canada with the network's 10th annual SPECIAL OLYMPICS DAY, airing live on Saturday at 2pm et/11am pt.
Vic Rauter hosts the hour-long TSN-produced SPECIAL OLYMPICS DAY celebrating Special Olympics Canada. The broadcast pays tribute to the inspirational achievements of Special Olympics athletes and their coaches as well as contributors, supporters and the numerous Special Olympics volunteers from across the country.
Viewers are invited to call TSN's Special Olympics hotline at 1-888-888-0608 beginning at 2pm et/11am pt on Saturday to donate funds to Special Olympics Canada. Callers will also receive information on volunteer and coaching opportunities with Special Olympics Canada. Viewers are also encouraged to visit www.specialolympics.ca throughout the day to make donations and obtain further information on Special Olympics Canada.
Special Olympics Canada Games are held every two years, alternating between summer and winter competitions with Special Olympics World Games being held in the year immediately following national competitions. The first national competition was held in Toronto, Ontario in 1969 and attracted some 1400 participants from across the country.
This year’s SPECIAL OLYMPICS DAY broadcast includes features on the 2010 Special Olympics Canada Team of the Year, Les Dragons de la Rive-Sud floor hockey team, the Special Olympics North America Coach of the Year, Nanci Martin, as well as a look back on the 2010 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in London, ON and a look ahead to the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece. In addition, there will be interviews with special guests throughout the hour-long broadcast.
Les Dragons de la Rive-Sud was named this year’s Special Olympics Canada Team of the Year thanks in part to their successes on the floor, but also for the positive reputation of the players and coaches. The team is known in their community for its determination, teamwork and for the respect each player has for their teammates. Les Dragons take part in fundraising events every year and have helped to raise more than $250,000 over the last 12 years. A special feature during this year’s SPECIAL OLYMPICS DAY will celebrate the accomplishments of Les Dragons as a hockey team and as inspirational members of their community.
Nanci Martin, a Special Olympics BC coach and volunteer for more than 19 years, has been named the Special Olympics North America Coach of the Year for 2010. Martin is the first Canadian to be honoured with this award that is given annually to a coach who shows excellence and leadership while serving as a role model and mentor to both Special Olympics Athletes and fellow coaches. This is another in an impressive list of awards Martin has received for her outstanding commitment to encouraging Special Olympics athletes to achieve their goals and strive for new personal bests. Martin and her accomplishments will be the subject of a feature during the SPECIAL OLYMPICS DAY broadcast.
TSN has been a staunch supporter of Special Olympics Canada for more than 25 years and is proud to be associated with an organization so dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with intellectual disabilities through sports.
Tune in to TSN on Saturday at 2pm et/11am pt for the 10th annual Special Olympics broadcast, a celebration of Special Olympics in Canada.
