Special Olympics Canada Announces Mission Staff for 2017 World Winter Games in Austria

TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Special Olympics Canada has announced its Chef de Mission, Mission Staff and Head Coaches for the upcoming 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Graz, Austria. These individuals were carefully selected from their years of experience and involvement within the Special Olympics Movement. Special Olympics Canada is thrilled to welcome representatives from across the country to lead Team Canada at the upcoming World Games.

The 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games will take place from March 14 to 25, throughout Graz, Schladming, Ramsau and Schladming-Rohrmoos, Austria. Expected at the Games are 3,000 athletes from 110 countries and 3,000 volunteers. Team Canada will be competing in 6 disciplines; alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, floor hockey, figure skating and speed skating.

The individuals selected for the 2017 National Team Program are as follows;

Chef de Mission:
Marian Coulson (Ontario)

Team Manager:
Serge Boulianne (Ontario)
Juli Propochuk – Bratten (Ontario)

Mission Staff:
Josh Astle (New Brunswick)
Kirsten Bobbie (Ontario)
Sylvie Ducharme (Québec)
Darren Inouye (British Columbia)
Jill Mattson (Alberta)
Darlene MacQuarrie (Saskatchewan)
Dr. Carmel Casey (Newfoundland & Labrador)
Dr. Neil Cheeseman (Newfoundland & Labrador)

Head Coaches:
Alpine Skiing - Randy Scott (British Columbia)
Cross-Country Skiing – Heleina Rothenburg (Ontario)
Figure Skating – Janet Collins (Ontario)
Snowshoeing – Joanne Zahaiko (Manitoba)
Speed Skating – Donna Bilous (British Columbia)

"As Chef de Mission, I am thrilled with the recent selection of Mission Staff and Head Coaches for the upcoming World Winter Games," said Marian Coulson, Chef de Mission. "Their collective experience with Special Olympics in Canada both at Games and the local level will be a huge asset when leading Team Canada in Austria. I'm excited to get to work in making Team Canada 2017 an incredible experience for all involved."

The National Team Program members mentioned above will all be in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador this coming March for the Special Olympics Canada 2016 Winter Games, the final qualifying step in naming Team Canada athletes for the 2017 World Winter Games. The Special Olympics Canada 2016 Winter Games will be held from March 1 to 6, 2016 in Corner Brook and surrounding area.

About Special Olympics Canada

Established in 1969, the Canadian chapter of this international movement is dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through the transformative power and joy of sport. Operating out of sport clubs in 12 provincial and territorial Chapters, this grassroots movement reaches beyond the sphere of sport to empower individuals, change attitudes and build communities. From two-year-olds to mature adults, more than 40,000 athletes with an intellectual disability are registered in Special Olympics year-round programs across Canada. They are supported by more than 19,000 volunteers, including more than 14,000 trained coaches.

For more information, visit www.specialolympics.ca or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@SpecialOCanada).

CONTACT: Bill Wilson 
         Director, Communications & Marketing
         [email protected] 
         416-927-9050 ext .4383