Chatham-Kent is welcoming athletes from across Ontario this week as they take part in the Special Olympics Ontario School Championship Games.
The event kicks off on Tuesday with nearly 800 student-athletes competing in five sports at three different locations in Chatham-Kent.
Basketball and bocce games will be held at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus from 1:20 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. Soccer and floor ball will be played during the same time at the St. Clair College Thames Campus.
Track and field competitions will also run from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Chatham-Kent Secondary School.
After the first day of competitions, opening ceremonies will begin at the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre with the Final Leg run at 6 p.m. The athletes will carry the “Flame of Hope” torch to the John D. Bradley Convention Centre, where the ceremonies will continue at 7 p.m.
The sporting events continue on Wednesday with track and field morning competitions and medal ceremonies taking place from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Basketball, bocce, soccer and floor ball round robins games will take place at the same time.
Then the afternoon competitions for track and field and playoff rounds for the other events kick off at 1 p.m. and run until 4 p.m.
CLICK HERE for the full schedule of events.
Medal ceremonies will commence at 4 p.m., followed by closing ceremonies and an athlete dance at 7 p.m. The athletes will depart CK to return home the following day.
The Special Olympics Ontario School Championship Games in Chatham-Kent have been entirely funded by more than $400,000 in donations from the local community.
