ParaSport Summer Games coming to Variety Village
Lighting of the torch, parade launch event Friday
Before they head to Beijing next month, 11 paralympians will descend on Scarborough to compete with 125 athletes from around the world as Variety Village gets set to host the 2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games.
Steve Bialowas, chair of the 2008 Ontario ParaSport and program director at Variety Village, said the local facility is putting the final touches on its plans as it gets ready to host the prestigious event for athletes with a physical disability.
"Everyone is (excited). Time just files, it's just a few days away," he said.
"A buzz is in the air, you can feel the energy in the air."
The opening ceremony takes place Friday, July 25, at noon at Variety Village, 3701 Danforth Ave. The public is welcome to attend to see the parade of athletes, featuring those from as far away as Ghana as well as others from Scarborough, and the lighting of the torch.
"They get to experience a special event here in our city," Bialowas said.
The competition gets underway at 2 p.m. Friday with athletes competing in athletics, boccia, goalball, powerlifting, paraequestrian, and wheelchair tennis at several venues, including Birchmount Stadium, Variety Village, Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute and the Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club, on Friday and Saturday.
All events are open to the public at no cost and Bialowas invites everyone to come watch and cheer.
"We really want the community to come out and support these athletes," he said.
Variety Village previously hosted the games in 1997. The Ontario ParaSport Summer Games were first held in 1975 in Cambridge. It has grown from two sports to six; it was held just every other year until 1985 and now takes place annually.
"It is the most prestigious event for athletes with a physical disability in Ontario," said Cathy Vincelli, executive director of Paralympics Ontario, when Scarborough was announced as the host community in January.
She said many athletes go on to compete at national and international events.
Variety Village is working with Centennial College on the event with the college hosting the athletes village at its residence on Progress Avenue. The School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culture is also hosting breakfast, preparing lunches to be taken to venues, and putting on the awards banquet on Saturday night.
"This is what Variety Village does best. We always thrive on that excitement and stress," Bialowas said. "We're really looking forward to being host to these athletes."
