A winning combo: Athletes, volunteers make Special Olympics 'shine'

Gord MacIntyre wants to win a national title at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat, Alta., this week.

But that's among many goals for the Edmonton soccer player at the games, which are meant to provide a venue for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

"It's an honour to actually be in Medicine Hat and to host the games," said MacIntyre, who plays left forward for the Team Alberta squad — setting up a lot of goals, as he puts it.

"[I'm hoping for] a lot of good games, fair play and just some awesome competition — hopefully do well."

After eight years of planning and thousands of kilometres of travel this week for 1,700 athletes, the games are underway.

"We'd like to leave a legacy that everyone felt welcome here, but it's also an economic development impact as well," Special Olympics Canada Summer Games chair Natalie Sauer told CBC Radio's Calgary Eyeopener .

Almost 1,700 athletes are competing this week in 10 sports, ranging from bocce and bowling to powerlifting, athletics, basketball, gymnastics and softball.

Colourful crowds waved provincial flags, pompoms, and even a rubber lobster or two at the city's 6,000-seat hockey arena for the opening ceremonies.

After years of preparation , a fleet of school buses arrived at venues beside semi-trailers delivering some of the 30,000 meals needed over the five days.

After attending the opening day, Governor General Louise Arbour told CBC News that the level of activity, volunteerism and sportsmanship was "an amazing phenomenon."

"If anybody wants to know anything about Canadian community spirit, it's happening right now in Medicine Hat, I'll tell you," she said.

Nicola Lambrechts, chair of Special Olympics British Columbia, said she is used to such scenes, but is always inspired.

"These are top-level athletes who [are] just doing amazing things … representing their provinces with joy and pride," said Lambrechts, whose organization will host the winter 2028 edition of the national games in Kelowna.

For volunteers, "there's a sense of making things better in the world around you."