CALGARY – There was a whole lot of excitement at the Calgary International Airport Sunday morning.
Team Alberta headed off to Newfoundland to compete in the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.
“The air is thick with excitement. It’s been buzzing leading up to the year and certainly the past couple of days, it’s just been building and building,” Justin Lee, the team manager said.
Their bags were packed, loaded with skis, snowshoes and skates.
“It feels important in my heart and I’m so excited,” Erica Manson, from Team Alberta’s cross country ski team said. “Pumped up, ready to go. I’m so excited, I can’t wait to go to Corner Brook.”
Ninety-five members of Team Alberta are joining over 1,500 athletes, coaches and volunteers in Corner Brook for the Winter Games.
Peter Arsenault is a veteran snowshoer headed into his forth Winter Games. He’s also been a mentor to a fellow athlete.
“He is my teammate, my friend and I have been training with him throughout the 10 months. I have been helping him, encouraging him and giving him tips and ideas on what to do and how to run,” Peter said. “When I am in Corner Brook, Newfoundland I’m going to run hard, try my best. Win or lose, I am just going to give it all I have from my 10 months of training.”
All that tough training has come to a close, with the reward now a six-hour flight away.
“I just like the outdoors. I enjoy running and meeting people. I just love everything about snowshoeing,” Arsenault said.
Snowshoe training started at Edworthy Park in Calgary and had to move to the Canmore Nordic Centre in search for snow.
“This has given me a new perspective on winter sports. I actually love winter now and I love snow, which I didn’t do before,” snowshoe coach Marie Powell said.
All the provincial teams are made up of athletes from a diverse range of ages and abilities. Everyone involved is proud to compete and be part of a team.
“There is definitely a focus and determination. There’s a hopefulness. There’s also a very fun element and a very family-oriented element, as well. There’s nothing like it. It’s surreal,” Powell said.
The 2016 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games start on Tuesday, March 1 and run until March 5.
WATCH BELOW: Team Alberta takes off to Special Olympics Canada Winter Games. Global’s Tracy Nagai was there to see them off.
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