Thirteen athletes from the Yukon have been selected to represent the territory at the upcoming Special Olympics Canada 2024 Winter Games, which will be held in Calgary, Alberta, from Feb. 27 to March 2.
They were formally revealed at a “send-off” event held at a downtown Whitehorse hotel on Feb. 15.
The Yukon’s Special Olympics team comprises five-pin bowlers, curlers, figure skaters and cross-country skiers.
The bowlers are Garry Chaplin, Duncan McRae, Bobbi-Rae Patchett, Mallory Pigage and Gracie Ryckman, the curlers are Brandle Bruneau, Edward Kaye, Gaetan “Gaets” Michaud and Carrie Rudolph, and the cross-country skiers are Ernest Chua, Darby McIntyre and Owen Munroe.
The sole figure skater representing the Yukon is Mike Sumner, who was recently honoured with three awards at the Yukon’s 2023 sports awards on Feb. 12. Sumner received the Premier’s Award of Sport Excellence and the Minister’s Award of Sport Recognition, along with being named an “athlete of the year” by Special Olympics Yukon.
Sumner won — uncontested — gold at the Canada Winter Games 2023 on Prince Edward Island in the “Figure Skating Special Olympics Singles Level III Male” event. He was also a recipient of the Pat Lechelt True Sport Award.
At the sports awards, Sumner told the News that he aims to achieve his personal best at the upcoming Special Olympics Canada 2024 Winter Games and hopefully earn another gold medal.
The athletes will be accompanied to the Games by a team of coaches and mission staff.
During the “send-off” event, which featured speeches from local politicians and supporters and a musical performance, the Yukon’s flagbearer for the 2024 Winter Games was revealed as curling team member Bruneau.
Speaking to the News, Bruneau said he was surprised to be revealed as the flag-bearer and that it felt “pretty good” to be bestowed with the honour.
Andrew Elines, the team’s chef de mission (read: team leader), is excited about travelling to Calgary and displaying on a national stage what the Yukon’s Special Olympics athletes are made of.
“I really just hope these guys can go and showcase what they are capable of and have fun doing it,” Elines said.
“I just want to go out there and have a good time with this crew.”
— With files from Dana Hatherly
Contact Matthew Bossons at matthew.bossons@yukon-news.com