Nearly a year after making their debut in the sport, Prince George’s Special Olympic athletes are competing in bocce in this year’s Special Olympics BC Summer Games.
“We started up last year, because we knew we were going to be hosting provincial games here, and we wanted to make sure we had representation from our City,” said Special Olympics Prince George Local Coordinator Peter Goudal.
Goudal said the sport is growing within Special Olympics Prince George.
“The first one, we only had eight athletes, and we’ve more than doubled that now,” he said.
“I’m expecting it to even grow bigger through word of mouth, because it is a nice fun sport for athletes to play,
Goudal said the athletes are enjoying the comradery that comes with the sport.
“They like the comradery and friendship number one,” he said.
“Number two is just getting out and competing, and getting really happy when they get their ball close to the pallino.”
Goudal added the sport is similar to curling.
“You’re watching curling, see who makes those strategic shots and the way the rock bends and the way these balls bend towards it,” he explained.
“Some of the shots are absolutely amazing that the athletes are making.”
In terms of other sports for Special Olympics Prince George, Goudal said he’s hoping to “reignite” the softball program, and there’s a little more work to do with soccer.
“We have a soccer team that plays, but we don’t have enough athletes to form a team when it comes down to it,” he said.
“An athlete gets to choose the sport that they play in, and so if a soccer team, if those athletes pick other sports, then your team kind of collapses, so hopefully we’ll get some more athletes.”
