Ontario hosts 2019 special olympics Ontario invitational youth games

#SpecialOlympicsOntarioInvitationalYouthGames; #Ontario; #DougFord; #MichaelTibollo

Toronto, May 14 (Canadian-Media):  Doug Ford, Ontario's premier and Michael Tibollo, Ontario's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport today opened the first Special Olympics Ontario Invitational Youth Games (SOOIYG), scheduled to take place from May 14 to 17, media reports said.

         Special Olympics Ontario Invitational Youth Games. Image credit: Website

To ensure Ontario is the best place to play sports, be an athlete and compete, Ontario Sport Hosting Program awarded $700,000 for hosting of the SOOIYG, which is expected to generate an estimated $7 million in economic activity for the Greater Toronto Area.

The Games are one of many global celebrations in 2019 to highlight the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics movement.

Congratulating all the athletes, competing over the next few days, and welcoming their families and coaches, Ford added,  "We're proud to have the opportunity to host the Games and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics. Thank you to everyone involved in making these Games happen and best of luck to all the athletes!"

The Invitational Youth Games encompasses 2,500 student athletes aged 13 to 21 and their coaches from around the world and will host unified and traditional team options in athletics, basketball, bocce, floor hockey and soccer. 

High school-aged athletes with an intellectual disability, for the first time, will have the chance to compete in an international sports competition.

The Games will host Competitions will be held in venues across the Greater Toronto Area including Humber College, Seneca College, Ryerson University and the University of Toronto.

"Investing in sport and recreation is key to ensuring all athletes of all abilities have the opportunity to compete at home and abroad. A special thank you to Special Olympics Ontario for providing our athletes the opportunity to compete internationally, right here at home," said Tibollo.