Watch above: Saskatoon Special Olympics track meet is good for all ages
SASKATOON – For the 37th year, E.D. Feehan Catholic High School welcomed athletes with intellectual disabilities for its annual Special Olympics track and field meet on Wednesday.
Since 1977, Feehan has hosted the Special Olympics track meet, and it’s been a part of Franco Soldo’s life for 18 years. It started when he was a student at Feehan and one he picked back up again volunteering as a teacher.
“I sought it upon myself and the rest of our staff to continue that tradition and the leadership we have amongst our school to show the rest of our student body and our community how important it is to volunteer and put out our best efforts into our society, making the world a better place,” said Soldo.
It’s a message heard loud and clear, as over 400 people, including students and staff, ran in this year’s event.
“E.D. Feehan has a motto, I belong to the Feehan family, who I am makes a difference, this is one day we all rally and we all make a difference in the lives of a very special community,” said Gayle Brodie, an organizer of the event and a teacher at E.D. Feehan.
Over the years familiar faces return and new ones emerge to compete in the games from ball throw to shot put.
“For a lot of our athletes once they try Special Olympics and they like it, they’re wanting to go out and find jobs, they’re doing better in school, they socialize better and their confidence is better, their self esteem; it’s a win win for all our athletes,” said Darlene MacQuarrie, Special Olympics Saskatchewan program director.
The athletes who competed ranged from five to 75 years old.
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