Celebration takes on Olympic proportions as UOIT and Durham College announced as host site of Spring Games 2008

Pickering athlete Lindsey Smith, who in 15 years of Special Olympics competition has earned numerous medals and ribbons, opened the launch event by sharing her experiences. Chuck Mercier, chairman of the 2008 Spring Games and deputy chief of the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS), Glenn MacDonell, president and chief executive officer of Special Olympics Ontario, UOIT President Dr. Ron Bordessa, and Durham College President Leah Myers were among the other speakers who celebrated the spirit of the Games, along with UOIT and Durham College's role as hosts. Special guests included Anne Ottenbrite, Canadian Olympic champion swimmer, Dan Ladouceur, professional lacrosse player, and numerous sporting mascots. The Special Olympians and Durham College and UOIT varsity athletes also played a short game of basketball to showcase one of the events to be held on campus.

"Today is a day to celebrate partnerships, to celebrate community, and to celebrate the spirit of sport," said Myers. "Durham College has a history of sporting success and hosting significant sporting events and we are very proud to add to that legacy by sharing our campus as the host site of the Special Olympics Ontario Spring Games for 2008. It's so heartening to see our staff and students embrace this wonderful news. Many are already asking how they can be involved and help make it a resounding success."

As the host site, more than 900 athletes, trainers and coaches will be housed in the Durham College and UOIT residences. In addition, the school will host the power lifting and basketball events, and provide meals, transportation, security, and media services as part of its commitment.

"We are genuinely pleased to welcome the Special Olympians, their coaches, and their trainers to our campus," said Dr. Bordessa. "We encourage them to treat our campus as their home for the duration of the games and believe they will find our state-of-the-art facilities, including our Campus Athletic Centre which will open next June, second-to-none. Our pledge is to ensure all competitors are comfortable here, allowing them to focus all of their attention on excelling in their athletic events."

More than 700 athletes and 170 coaches will take part in the 2008 Games, and along with power lifting and basketball, swimming, five-pin bowling and 10-pin bowling will also be contested. It is the first time Durham Region has played host to the provincial event, with the DRPS entering the successful bid. The DRPS has long been a tremendous supporter of the Special Olympics movement, organizing numerous events and fundraisers each year. 

"All of our officers are immensely proud of our longtime association with Special Olympics and are thrilled to bring the Spring 2008 Games to Durham," said Deputy Chief Mercier. "We have four main goals for the Games: to provide a high-level event for special athletes, to increase awareness of special disabilities, to raise much needed money for Special Olympics, and to put Durham Region on the map."

Special Olympics offers community based programming that provides athletes with opportunities to advance to higher levels of competition. Competitive opportunities are provided at a provincial level through Winter, Spring and Summer Games in various Ontario cities over a four-year cycle. The 2008 Spring Games will serve as a qualifying competition for the 2010 National Special Olympics Summer Games.

"The DRPS and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police have led the annual Torch Run and other special events in support of Special Olympics for years, so it's very appropriate that the force is now hosting the Spring Games and providing a venue for these top provincial athletes to compete," added Mercier.

Special Olympics Ontario is a charitable organization that receives less than five per cent of its operating funds from government grants. The balance of funds is raised within the community through public and corporate donations.

About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's 4,300 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, UOIT offers more than 30 challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of Business and Information Technology, Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Sciences. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including several Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.caor call 905.721.8668.

About Durham College
For close to 40 years, Durham College has provided high-demand programs, professors with real-world experience, the latest technology, and an unwavering commitment to student success. Number one in the Greater Toronto Area based on a combined ranking in the areas of student, graduate, and employer satisfaction; graduate employment; and graduation rate for seven years running according to the provincial government's indicator surveys, the college also has the highest graduate employment rate - 93.1 per cent - of all six GTA colleges. The college has close to 6,000 full-time and 23,000 part-time students enrolled in over 100 programs and courses and over 1,500 apprentices. For more information, visit the website at www.durhamcollege.caor call 905.721.2000.

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.

Media contact
Heather Middleton
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.3111 ext. 2197
heather.middleton@dc-uoit.ca