Laurier supports Special Olympics Ontario Virtual Games

July 16, 2020

If you’ve missed watching live sports, Special Olympics Ontario has a fix.

The Golden H-A-W-K-S Basketball Shooting Competition will be livestreamed on Special Olympics Ontario’s website from July 21 to 23 as part of the Virtual Games Waterloo Region 2020. Special Olympics athletes competing in the basketball shooting competition will participate from home, challenging opponents to a variety of shots in a one-on-one format over Zoom. The competitions will take place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day during the Virtual Games.

The Virtual Games will also include at-home challenges for athletes competing in traditional Special Olympics sports – including powerlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming and 10-pin bowling – in addition to minute-to-win-it-style games that will serve to keep the spirit of Special Olympics alive.

Laurier, a Special Olympics Ontario Games Partner, had been preparing to host events and athletes at the university’s Waterloo campus in May as part of the Special Olympics Ontario 2020 Spring Games, but the coronavirus pandemic postponed the events.

“Laurier is honoured to support the Special Olympics Ontario's Virtual Games 2020 through the Golden HAWKS Basketball Shooting Competition," says Peter Baxter, Laurier’s director of athletics and recreation. "Although we cannot be together in-person because of the pandemic, the Virtual Games are an opportunity to highlight the talents, skills and enduring enthusiasm of Special Olympics athletes from across Ontario."

The Virtual Games Waterloo Region 2020 will also include a torch run, opening ceremonies, awards ceremonies and online athlete workshops, which the community can all watch live. A complete schedule of events and activities is available on the Special Olympics Ontario Virtual Games website.