Calgary athletes heading to Berlin for the Special Olympics World Games

Seven Calgary athletes are headed to Berlin to compete in the 2023 Special Olympics World Games.

Overall, 89 athletes will represent Team Canada on the world stage for the first international tournament since 2019. The games will kick off on June 17 with an opening ceremony and will end on the 25th.

Among the Calgary competitors are Allie Price and William Shepherd. The two travelled to Toronto with their Calgary teammates last week for some last-minute training before flying out on June 11 to land in Munich where Team Canada was hosted for a few days.

In Munich, the athletes attended events hosted by the organization, educating and raising awareness around the Special Olympics. The organization’s goal is to create inclusivity through the games, spreading awareness not just in Berlin but throughout Germany.

Team Canada is travelling to Berlin today, June 15, where the games will kick off on Saturday and seven thousand athletes from approximately 190 countries will compete in 26 sports.

Golfing for gold

Golfing for Team Canada is Price, who has been involved in the Special Olympics for 15 years. After trying her hand at soccer, curling, and other sports, she ultimately decided golf was her game.

“I love golf and enjoying the outdoors,” Price says.

She won gold at the Special Olympics Alberta Games in 2017, where she qualified for the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games that took place in Nova Scotia in 2018.

“I enjoy the great atmosphere and getting involved in the program and all the athletes that are involved in Special Olympics.”

Throughout her Special Olympics journey, Price has received immense support from her family. Her father, Al Price, is her caddy.

“It’s a bonus to spend time with our kids,” Al says. “In this case, I’m carrying a bag for Allie, washing her balls, and supporting her as she goes through the competitions.”

Dedicated to her sport, Price has worked tirelessly to make it to worlds, training in camps to learn new techniques and further her skills.

“It’s really fun, but on the mental side it’s challenging, but I get used to it,” Price says about her training.

Price looks forward to her time in Germany and plans to explore some of the country’s history.

However, she mostly looks forward to golfing, spending time with her teammates, and hopefully bringing home a medal.

Representing Alberta in basketball

Shepherd will represent Alberta in men’s basketball as this year’s team sports are the first to be composed of players from across the country. Previously, Team Canada was awarded to the winning province of nationals.

“I'm really looking forward to being with my teammates. We're all very close, we bond like brothers. I really think that bond is just going to continue to grow and develop,” he says.

From growing up watching basketball as a kid to officially playing on a team at the age of 12, basketball has always been his favourite sport.

“Nothing gives me a greater sense of happiness than seeing the swish of the ball go through the net.”

Shepherd first got involved in the Special Olympics at the age of 10. He participated in floor hockey and basketball but took a break before coming back around the age of 20. Since then, he’s been an avid member of the basketball and curling teams.

He enjoys playing in the Special Olympics as it gives him many opportunities to travel around and participate in tournaments.

Shepherd’s basketball team won gold at the provincial games in 2017. Afterwards, the team went on to win silver at the national games in 2018.

“I've had a couple of really dedicated coaches here in town over the years that have really helped push me and I'd say they really helped me get here as well as my teammates that are part of my local basketball group.

Golden volunteer

Also headed to Berlin is Jodi Flanagan, a Special Olympics volunteer for the past 33 years.

Flanagan got involved in the program when she began to coach figure skating in Calgary. Over the years she’s been a crucial part of the games, whether it be at the provincial, national, or world level.

Now as chef de mission on the leadership team, she helps to support all athletes.

“If I can be here to help see that [the athletes] goals come to fruition then I will have succeeded,” she says. “It's awesome to witness other people's success and challenges being overcome.”

She says it’s through the work of volunteers that Special Olympics can have such strong programs.

“It’s been great being a part of Calgary in this organization just because everyone supports each other. We’re always looking for how we can better the coaches in terms of development because that’s going to make a big difference to the athletes.”

In Berlin, Flanagan looks forward to seeing all the athletes come together and hit their peaks during competition. Additionally, she hopes they can take the experience in, learn about the world, and see what opportunities exist for them.

“I hope that they get to see this culture that we're going to be exposed to when we first go to Munich and then everything that we're doing in Berlin. So, I just hope that it's an increased level of awareness and that they can take that all back to their own community.”