The Special Olympics BC (SOBC) Winter Games will be hosted in Kamloops from Feb. 2 to Feb. 4 2023.
This marks the fifth time Kamloops has hosted provincial games for BC and Yukon athletes.
Kamloops hosted the first ever SOBC games in 1986, the summer games in 2017 and the winter games in 2003 and 2015.
Nearly 800 athletes will gather to compete in eight SOBC winter sports: 5-pin bowling, alpine skiing, cross country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing, and speed skating.
Top performers in the 2023 games will qualify to compete in the 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games. Athletes will be supported by about 250 volunteer coaches and staff.
📣 BIG NEWS 📣
— Special Olympics BC (@sobcsociety) January 31, 2022
Thrilled to announce that the 2023 Special Olympics BC Winter Games will be hosted in #Kamloops from February 2 to 4 next year!
Join us in getting pumped to watch SOBC Provincial Games competitors perform in Canada’s Tournament Capital: https://t.co/uREzq5zYH5 pic.twitter.com/AlKWY9HQxl
All athletes are currently participating in regional qualifying competitions to prepare for next year's games.
“All aspects of SOBC Games operations are being reviewed to meet the current safety standards, and the 2023 SOBC Games will include several heightened initiatives including all competitors and coaches staying in hotels instead of the previous school-based accommodations,” explains SOBC in a news release
According to the news release, more than 1,000 volunteers will be needed to help with events and details about how to register to volunteer, game venues and more will be announced in the coming weeks on the organization’s website.
To learn more about Special Olympics BC–Kamloops, feel free to check out this link.
