(Special Olympics BC).

By Aaron Schulze

Kamloops 2023

Kamloops to host 2023 Special Olympics BC Winter Games

Jan 31, 2022 | 12:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — The 2023 Special Olympics BC Winter Games will be in Kamloops.

Special Olympics BC (SOBC) announced Monday (Jan. 31) that 2023 will be the fifth time Kamloops will welcome athletes with intellectual disabilities from B.C. and Yukon for the provincial games. Kamloops hosted the inaugural SOBC Games in 1986 and went on to host the summer games in 2017, and the winter games in 2003 and 2015.

Around 800 athletes are expected to come to Kamloops and compete in eight winter sports: five-pin bowling, alpine skiing, cross country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing and speed skating. SOBC says the athletes will be supported by approximately 250 volunteer coaches and mission staff.

“All aspects of SOBC Games operations are being reviewed to meet the current safety standards, and the 2023 SOBC Games will include several heightened initiatives including all competitors and coaches staying in hotels instead of the previous school-based accommodations,” SOBC states.

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Top performers in the 2023 SOBC Games will qualify to compete in the 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games, which will be the qualifier for the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

SOBC says more than 1,000 volunteers will be needed to help stage the 2023 Winter Games in Kamloops. Volunteer registration, venues and other details will be announced in the weeks to come on the SOBC website.

The 2023 SOBC Winter Games will take place between Feb. 2 and 4 next year.