Two coaches that call New Westminster home have been tasked with leading athletes from across the province to victory at the 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.
Mark Schnurr, a Special Olympics BC volunteer, manager and coach of nearly 35 years, has been tapped as the head coach of Team BC's alpine skiing team for the national quadrennial event, set to take place in Calgary from Feb. 27 to March 2.
He said the opportunity to compete at the Canada Winter Games means a lot for the athletes.
"They work and train so hard for three years leading up to National Games and to achieve their goal to compete at at that level is just awesome," Schnurr remarked.
"To have the chance to compete at World Games is also a huge motivator."
Meanwhile, Isabelle Schnurr will join Mark on the alpine skiing coaches list from the Next Gen program.
The two are among 50 coaches and 142 athletes from 31 B.C. communities going to the Winter Games, which the biggest team B.C.has ever sent.
"The energy and excitement of this 2024 provincial team is undeniable," said Special Olympics Team BC Chef de Mission Michelle Cruikshank in a news release.
"It’s been a long-anticipated wait for our athletes to be returning to competition at the national level."
More than 4,000 athletes, coaches, officials and visitors will be part of the games in Calgary that feature competition in eight sports:
- Five-pin bowling
- Alpine skiing
- Cross-country skiing
- Curling
- Figure skating
- Floor hockey
- Snowshoeing
- Speed skating
- with files from Mario Bartel, Tri-City News
