Dignitaries impressed with what they’ve seen

The Special Olympics Canada Summer Games has brought many distinguished guests to Medicine Hat and city councillor Bill Cocks was privileged to have a conversation with two of them Wednesday as they sat poolside at Big Marble Go Centre.

Alberta Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani was part of the opening ceremony on Tuesday and gave an inspirational speech. She reflected on what the Special Olympics is about and the contribution of the organizers here in Medicine Hat. The Lieutenant Governor said she found the Games’ motto We Shine Together to encompass the spirit of the Special Olympics for the athletic participants and she commended the organizers for bringing this spirit of inclusiveness alive in Medicine Hat.

Also impressing her was the level of organization which has produced a first class event. “A city of just over 60,000 people has accomplished something wonderful for all of Canada,” she said.

Lt.-Gov. Lakhani also noted that this was not her first visit to Medicine Hat and that she and her husband have found this city to be a hidden gem, an oasis of accomplishment in Alberta with an impressive range of facilities, services and amenities. She said they are really enjoying this visit to Medicine Hat and look forward to returning.

Senator Marty Deacon, from Waterloo, Ont., was equally impressed. She said she wanted to come to Medicine Hat because sport and special sporting events are in her blood and not having visited Medicine Hat before, she wanted to come and see for herself what we have put together. Senator Deacon has been involved with sport through her teaching career as a physical education instructor and she was the Canadian Chef de Mission for the Commonwealth Games held in India in 2010.

Currently, she is a director of the Canada Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Canada. She was impressed with Medicine Hat’s quality of sporting facilities, the welcoming spirit of the city, and the enthusiasm and commitment of the organizers and volunteers.

Coun. Cocks says Medicine Hat is having a huge impact on the lives of the athletes being hosted and positively forging a great national reputation for our community.

— story by Bill Cocks, Special Olympics Canada Summer Games