Media Advisory - The 2019 Special Olympics Ontario Invitational Youth Games (IYG) Toronto 'Unites The World' May 14-17

TORONTO, May 10, 2019 /CNW/ - 

2,500 athletes and coaches from Canada, United States and the Caribbean, are taking part in the first-ever Invitational Youth Games in venues across Toronto May 14 -17. (CNW Group/Special Olympics Ontario)

WHAT:	2019 Special Olympics Ontario Invitational Youth Games (IYG) #youthgames2019: Photo opportunities and interview opportunities.
	2,500 athletes and coaches from Canada, United States and the Caribbean, are taking part in the first-ever Invitational Youth Games in venues across Toronto May 14 -17. The games, which have set out to 'unite the world', will see school-aged student athletes (ages 13-21), with and without intellectual disabilities alongside their coaches take part in 5 sporting events. Representatives from The Premier's Office, The Mayor's Office, Toronto Police Services, and the NHL Alumni Association are among the distinguished guests set to attend these ground-breaking games and related special events celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of Special Olympics worldwide.  Admission to the games is free.
	Enabled by support from the Province, the City of Toronto, sponsors and host organization, The Toronto Police Service, the games will celebrate Ontario's continued leadership in the worldwide Special Olympics movement including pioneering research led by Ontario's esteemed Dr. Frank Hayden.
	In conjunction with the IYG will be the Special Olympics Floor Hockey Championship involving 18 teams from across Ontario and five invitational teams from Canada. Over 400 athletes and coaches are participating in the Floor Hockey games with the opportunity to advance to the 2020 National Winter Games to be hosted in Thunder Bay, Ontario and subsequently the 2021 World Games in Sweden.
WHEN:	May 14 – 17, 2019

PHOTO OPPS AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

May 15 International Centre (Hall 5) 6900 Airport Rd., Mississauga, ON L4V 1E8 8:00 am – 9:00 am
Photo Opportunities	Interview Opportunities
Ceremonial puck drop. Memorial Tribute Humbolt Broncos Special Olympics Athlete and Team Statistician Will commemorate/celebrate floor hockey, as the first official Special Olympics sport in Canada. Will include an athlete from Chicago (to celebrate the location of the first Special Olympic competition in 1968) and Toronto (the host of the games). Memorial tribute to Special Olympics athlete, Brody Hinz (Humboldt Broncos) team's statistician and an athlete of Special Olympics Saskatchewan floor hockey team who will be participating in IYG.  As a tribute, the Special Olympics Saskatchewan floor hockey team's goalie will be wearing a replica goalie mask of the Humboldt Broncos.	Glenn Healy, former NHL goaltender Glenn MacDonell, President & CEO of Special Olympics

May 15: Various Photo Opps and Interview Opportunities with participating athletes and coaches across the city
Athletics University of Toronto Varsity Stadium 299 Bloor St. W TO, ON M5S 1W2 10:00am – 3:00pm	Basketball (two venues) University of Toronto Athletic Centre 55 Harbord St, TO, ON M5S 2W6   Goldring Centre, 100 Devonshire Pl, TO, ON M5S 2C9 10:00am – 3:00pm	Bocce University of Toronto Back Campus Fields, TO, ON M5S 2E5 10:00am – 3:00 pm	Floor Hockey International Centre (Hall 5) 6900 Airport Rd.  MISS, ON L4V 1E8 8:00am – 3:00 pm

May 16: Various Photo Opps and Interview Opportunities with participating athletes and coaches across the city
Athletics	Basketball	Bocce	Floor Hockey	Soccer
University of Toronto Varsity Stadium 299 Bloor St. W TO, ON M5S 1W2	University of Toronto Athletic Centre 55 Harbord St, TO, ON M5S 2W6	University of Toronto Back Campus Fields, TO, ON M5S 2E5	International Centre (Hall 5) 6900 Airport Rd. MISS, ON L4V 1E8	Seneca College Newnham Campus, 1750 Finch Ave. E, North York, ON M2J 2X5
Competition 9:00am – 2:00pm Medal Ceremony 1:00pm – 2:00pm	Competition 9:00am-12:00pm Medal Ceremony 1:00pm – 2:00pm	Competition 9:00am–12:00 pm Medal Ceremony 1:00 pm – 2:00pm	Competition 8:00am–2:00 pm Medal Ceremony 2:00pm– 3:00pm	Competition 9:00am –12:00 pm    Medal Ceremony 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

HEALTHY ATHLETES, presented by Dairy Farmers of Ontario: May 15-16

Healthy Athletes, presented by Dairy Farmers of Ontario is a free health screening and education program designed for people with intellectual disabilities. These games mark the first time all seven Healthy Athletes disciplines will be offered at once.
Funfitness, Medfest & Opening Eyes Location: University of Toronto, Varsity Stadium, 299 Bloor St. W, TO, ON M5S 1W2 May 15 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm May 16 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm	Health Promotion & Strong Minds Location: Seneca College Newnham Campus, 1750 Finch Ave. E, North York, ON M2J 2X5 May 15 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm May 16 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm	Fit Feet & Special Smiles Location: International Centre 6900 Airport Rd.  MISS, ON L4V 1E8 May 15 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm May 16 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

SOBEYS FAN ZONE:

Family, friends and athletes can enjoy the Sobeys Fan Zone at Devonshire place (outside of the sports competition at the University of Toronto) from May 15–16, 10:00am – 4:00pm for interactive fan activities, merchandise, food vendors and more.

Special Olympics Invitational Youth Games 2019 sponsors include, Toronto Police Service, Law Enforcement Torch Run, Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, Special Olympics Canada Foundation, The Wizard Foundation, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Sobeys, VIA, Modern Niagara and TSN.

PARTICIPATING ATHLETES BY AREA:

Caribbean: 12
United States of America: 113
Western Canada & the Territories: 137
Eastern Canada: 198
Eastern Ontario: 287
Southern Ontario: 290
Central Ontario: 154
Northern Ontario: 220
Greater Toronto Area: 215
Floor Hockey: 399
Universities & Colleges: 75
Host Region Toronto: 185

SOURCE Special Olympics Ontario

and to schedule interviews, contact: Gabby Nobrega, Breakthrough Communications, [email protected], 416.930.9756; Jasmina Vranesevic, 2019 Special Olympics Ontario Invitational Youth Games, [email protected], 905.746.3656

Related Links

http://www.torontospecialolympics.com