The Special Olympics BC Winter Games are taking over Kamloops and area this weekend.

More than 500 athletes with intellectual disabilities from across B.C. and Yukon are taking part in these games – the first SOBC Provincial Games in four years – giving them a chance to step into the spotlight and be celebrated for their abilities.

“The 2023 Special Olympics BC Winter Games are an incredible opportunity for athletes with intellectual disabilities to show their skills, compete with pride, and develop meaningful friendships,” SOBC President and CEO Dan Howe, said, in a statement.

“We are so grateful to all the volunteers, sponsors, donors, and supporters who are helping athletes achieve their dreams.”

Opening ceremonies were held last night, with athletes now competing in 5-pin bowling, alpine and cross country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing, and speedskating today and tomorrow.

“I’m incredibly excited,” Daniel Thomas from Vancouver said ahead of the opening ceremonies. “I’m looking really forward to meeting new athletes from across the province and getting to compete with them.”

Howe says hundreds of Kamloopsians have stepped up to volunteer, helping to fill out a number of roles to make the games a success.

“Special Olympics BC is so grateful for the tremendous volunteer response, which is so characteristic of the Kamloops community,” he said.

Kamloopsians are also being encouraged to cheer over the athletes Friday and Saturday with free admission and no tickets required for most events.

“I find it one of the best events to attend,” Local games chair, Jan Antons said on the NL Morning News. “If you haave teenagers or children or kids, bring them out because its really amazing to see.”

This the fifth time that Kamloops has hosted either the SOBC Summer or Winter games, having previously done so in 1986, 2003, 2015, and 2017.

For a list of SOBC games venues and schedules as well as photos and team rosters, go here.