THUNDER BAY – Athletes attending this week’s Special Olympics Canada Winter Games are getting royal treatment when it comes to their health.
Over the next three days, up to 350 of the 960 competitors will take part in the Healthy Athletes program, where they’ll have the opportunity to gauge their well-being through a variety of tests, including blood pressure and body-mass index, their vision, their dental health, their level of fitness and finally, their adaptive coping skills.
Matthew Williams, a speed skater from British Columbia, said it’s a great opportunity for all athletes to help them assess their overall health and see where they might need improvement or additional help.
“It gives us a great opportunity to receive those services, to make sure that we’re healthy and able to be the best at our sport. Being able to receive those services is really nice, because for many athletes it’s very difficult to receive them when they go back to their home communities,” Williams said on Monday, a day before the Games’ opening ceremonies are set to begin.
“Having this here at the Games really means a lot to all of us athletes and I’m really excited to be a part of that.”
Williams, 28, said the first station he went to on Monday was called Strong Minds.
“When you’re an athlete it’s a really big component, because when you’re mentally strong and have those tools to really keep your nerves down and make sure that you’re able to compete at your best,” he said.
“I think when you’re not just physically strong, but mentally strong as well, it gives you a great opportunity to have your best performance.”
Thomas Weissberger, the national clinical advisor for the Opening Eyes program with Special Olympics, as well as the head optician, called it a vital service to help the athletes get the proper care they need – and might not be getting at home.
Many of the athletes have aged out of any government programs that might cover the costs of certain examinations, including eye care.
“This is vital, because if you can’t see, you can’t function as well. And many (athletes) don’t even know. Unlike tooth pain, you don’t know when you can’t see. All you know is you can’t function at the same level,” Weissberger said.
Each athlete will leave the Games with a new prescription set of eyewear, or a pair of sport goggles or sunglasses to help protect their eyes.
“This is a way to bring eye care and proper health care to those who don’t have access, normally.”
It’s also a chance for professionals to gain experience working with people with intellectual disabilities, Weissberger added.
Competition at the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games begins on Wednesday at a variety of venues around Thunder Bay.
