Athletes are preparing for Canada's 2024 Special Olympics Winter Games

Team Alberta has 96 athletes competing in eight sports during Canada's 2024 Winter Olympics in Calgary, all training for months in preparation for the five-day event that begins Feb. 27.

“We've had some really good people on our leadership team,” said Jody Flanagan, executive chef at Mission Alberta. “Talking to athletes about their routine and staying focused and in the moment of training.”

Flanagan meets once a month via Zoom calls with athletes and coaches to make sure everyone is getting what they need to perform at their highest level in the games.

“We want there to be excitement, but we don't want them to peak too early and get too excited in January, when we know we have to focus until February,” he said. “A lot of strategy and technique helps keep everyone on the same level.”

This will be Flanagan's 10th Special Olympics national event. He says he relies on veteran athletes to help new players know what to expect.

“We asked them to have these conversations and share information and the different tactics they use,” he said.

“How do you sleep when you're all excited? What do you have to do? Expect different food or different bedding and different roommates and all these different things. We really believe in them. veteran athletes and coaches.”

Sarah McCarthy competes in cross-country skiing. A 40-year veteran, he is in his sixth National Winter Games.

McCarthy says he hasn't been skiing as much as he would like because Calgary doesn't have much snow.

“I'm training on dry ground because of the snow conditions,” he said. “I've been skiing a few times, practicing at home and doing other things to prepare for the games.”

McCarthy says she's looking forward to meeting new people at this year's games.

“I like to hang out with my friends,” she said. “Seeing all my friends and playing sports.”

Kieran Corrigan, 29, will compete in his first National Winter Games. She enjoys snowshoeing and says good cardio is important, so she spends a lot of time in the gym, as well as doing yoga and weight training.

“Since last October, every Sunday from 12:30 to 2 p.m.,” he said. “I've been going to the gym every Tuesday since last fall, and every Monday after work from 5pm to 6pm.”

On Corrigan Day, Bob says he would like to see more snow at Maple Ridge Golf Course, where the events will be held.

Unlike cross-country skiing, he says, snow events can be held on dry land if necessary.

“We're finishing up all our training now, so we're down to the last minute,” he said. “(My son) never argues or complains about training, he works hard, he also runs, which helps prepare him for the snow run.”

Figure skater Jordan Tyson fine tunes his routine in front of coach Barbara Pristai on the rink at the Seven Chiefs Sportplex.

This year, the 31-year-old will celebrate her third national games and she says her friends and family are excited to watch her compete.

“I did waltzes and finger loops,” she said. “My salco, my falling leaf toe loop, my loop, and my flip flop, I'm not nervous because I'm excited, I've got to laugh.”

Tyson trains on and off the ice up to six days a week.

“I did Pilates five times a week, yoga once a week, ballet once a week (because I love it). This is my spirit, the Special Olympics will make my dreams come true.”

According to Pristai, many spectators do not know how much effort the competing athletes put in.

“They think they're just showing off, and that's it,” he said.

“People have to remember that they're athletes, they're not just Special Olympians or Special Olympians, these kids are athletes and they train anywhere between three to six days a week, they're on the ice, on the ice, they're dedicated and they always give you 100% gives “.

The last time the Special Olympic Winter Games of Canada were held in Calgary was in 1996.

According to Flanagan, the more spectators who come to watch and support, the better the athletes perform.

“The benefits of being in an event like this and the life lessons you can learn, we all learn, it doesn't matter if we're a coach, in a leadership position or an athlete, we all get something. he.”

To learn more about the Calgary 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games, please visit: https://calgary2024.specialolympics.ca/