At the Special Olympics World Games, the best intellectually disabled athletes in the world compete. Last year at the 2011 World Summer Games in Athens, Greece, Canadian athletes proved their unbelievable skills. How? By taking home a silver medal for softball.

Canada’s Grizzlies softball team shined at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens.

At the World Games in Athens, Greece, members of Team Canada displayed what they were capable of as the whole world watched. “After splitting two close games with the Dominican Republic (8-4 and 10-8), the Canadian team went on to defeat Australia and claimed a silver medal.”

Special Olympics Canada is raising up amazing athletes — could you or someone you love become one?

Special Olympics Canada’s mission is to “enrich the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through sport.” In the process of enriching lives, Special Olympics Canada is also helping to create up-and-coming athletes.

Have you ever entertained the thought that you or your loved one could become a Special Olympics athlete? If not, now is the time.

Summer is the perfect time to take up a new hobby or sport.

In light of this, perhaps you could consider involvement with Special Olympics Canada. Why would you want to connect with Special Olympics? Because doing so can improve your life or the life of a family member or close friend.

Being a Special Olympics athlete has numerous benefits; just a few of these benefits include:

– “Improved balance, coordination, and body control”

– Improved social skills and self-confidence

– Improved fitness and “conditioning”

– “Increase in sport skills and competitive skills”

Do you or your loved one have an intellectual disability? Would improvements in the above areas be beneficial? If so, consider getting involved with Special Olympics Canada.

What’s holding you or your loved one back from becoming an athlete?

If you or someone you love has an intellectual disability, why not take advantage of the unique opportunity to be involved with Special Olympics Canada? You never know how much a life can change by simply stepping outside of a comfort zone.

To learn more about becoming a Special Olympics athlete, visit http://www.specialolympics.ca/be-involved/athletes/. To locate your local Special Olympics Canada chapter, see http://www.specialolympics.ca/who-we-are/our-chapters/.

To read more about what Special Olympics Canada defines as intellectual disability, visit http://www.specialolympics.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/fact_sheet_intellectual_disabilities.pdf.

Special Olympics Canada exists to enrich the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. How can it enrich your life or the life of someone you know? Visit http://www.specialolympics.ca/ to find out.

Sources:

http://www.kelownacapnews.com/sports/125096149.html

http://www.specialolympics.ca/be-involved/athletes/

http://www.specialolympics.ca/

*Please note: All research for this article is compiled from direct and third party sources. Mention of programs, organizations and companies does not imply support of The National Benefit Authority.  Pictures are for creative purposes only; they are not intended to sell or promote products for the NBA and belong to the accredited individual, organization or company.

Let’s Talk About It

How would you or your loved one benefit from becoming a Special Olympics athlete?

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