COACHES NEWSLETTER

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This is the June edition of the Coaches Newsletter that is shared with coaches, educators and volunteers. Be sure to follow Special Olympics Ontario on social media for continued updates or visit www.specialolympicsontario.com for additional information.

2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin

The Special Olympics World Games offer the opportunity to unite the world like no other event can. 

From 17 – 25 June 2023, Berlin, Germany has welcomed 7,000 Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners from approximately 190 countries to compete in 26 sports. Our very own Canadian and Ontarian athletes are hard at work competing in the games.

Berlin 2023:

The official website of the Berlin 2023 Special Olympics World Games www.berlin2023.org/en serves as the primary source of information for the event.

Special Olympics Team Canada:

www.specialolympics.ca/SOTeamCanada2023 offers specific information about Team Canada's participation in the 2023 World Games.

Special Olympics Ontario:

www.specialolympicsontario.com/games/world-games/ serves as a central hub of information for our community and supporters to cheer on our local athletes on team Canada! Stay in the know during the games and view any photos of our athletes in Berlin! Medal Alerts will be updated daily.

Photos from Special Olympics Canada

Extreme Weather Update

As some of you may already know, The Kingston games were delayed due to the Canadian Wildfires. In order to take precautions and ensure our athlete's safety, we had to cancel the first day of the games and move all sports indoors.

The games were able to be safely resumed the next day and our athletes still got the chance to compete!

As these wildfires continue to affect our daily lives - it is crucial to take precautions to ensure your own and our Special Olympic athlete's safety.

Steps For Health & Safety to Protect From the Wildfire Smoke

1. You can reduce your smoke exposure by wearing an N95 mask.
2. Check your air quality health index (AQHI) daily.
3. When the air quality health index (AQHI) is above 7 - opt for an indoor workout!
4. Stay inside if the AQHI is above 7. Keep doors, windows & fireplaces shut.
5. Run your air conditioning on a recirculation setting.
6. Use an air filter or purifier.
7. Don't fry food or smoke to avoid polluting the air in your home.
8. Pregnant woman, young children and those will underlying health conditions must take extra precautions when leaving the house.

We have updated our extreme weather guidelines to help you make decisions regarding extreme weather to ensure the safety of athletes, coaches and volunteers.

Cold Weather

If the temperature with the wind chill is lower than –25 degrees, outside activity is not recommended. Read more about the extreme cold weather guidelines.

Hot Weather

If the temperature exceeds +30 degrees, outside activity is not recommended. Read more about the extreme hot weather guidelines.

Air Quality

Following the Health Canada Guidelines all outdoor activities should be moved indoors, rescheduled or cancelled if the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is at a level 7 or above for the area where the outdoor activity is to take place.

As air quality is even more prevalent in a sports environment, SIRC and the federal government have created a free eLearning module to assist coaches in understanding the effects of air quality on athletes and its impact on sport programs. 

Read more about the extreme air quality guidelines.

Lightning

Special Olympics Ontario outdoor events can be held while it is raining if it is safe to do so. However, if thunder is heard events should be halted and participants should seek shelter until 30 minutes after thunder has been heard. Read more about the extreme lightning weather guidelines.

Meet Teagan McDonald

Teagan McDonald is a superstar athlete from the Kawartha Lakes community with an impressive 22-year involvement in Special Olympics. She excels in 5-Pin Bowling, Curling, Softball, and Swimming. For Teagan, Special Olympics offers the chance to participate in sports and join teams that would otherwise be inaccessible. She treasures the friendships and memories she has made through Special Olympics.

Teagan invites donors and supporters to join in the Special Olympics experience, assuring them that both athletes and volunteers will be rewarded with abundant smiles.

Hometown Games 

More Hometown Games are happening across the province!

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

JUNE 24

Renfrew Softball

London Softball

JUNE 25

Durham Athletics

JUNE 29

Stratford Golf

JULY 8

Toronto Soccer

Brantford Track

July 15

Peterborough Softball

July 17

London Golf

Don't see an upcoming Hometown Games near you? Stay tuned to your emails and our social media channels for more dates and locations coming soon! We can't wait to see you back on the playing field!

In-Person Nutrition Workshop for Athletes!

Jackie Silvers Intro to Meal Prep Workshop has been postponed to July 20th, 7-8:30pm. Spots are still available to sign up! This is a free event with giveaways! 

Location: Special Olympics Ontario head office – 65 Overlea Boulevard, suite 200 Toronto, ON M4P 1P1 

Limited spots available: this workshop is open to 20 athletes in the GTA only. The form will automatically close once 20 athletes have registered. Caregivers are welcome to accompany an athlete should they need it. 

Athletes will have the opportunity to make a recipe with Jackie with ingredients supplied by Sobeys!

Share Your Story 

For the chance to have your athletes' Special Olympics stories featured in a future newsletter, social media post, or campaign, submit your information on our Athlete Profile Form!

Fill out your information, tell us your story, and submit a photo of you participating in Special Olympics, or include a headshot.

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