June 20, 2017 - The City of Thunder Bay submitted a bid proposal on June 16 to host the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.

The bid theme is "Hearts of Gold" to highlight Thunder Bay's community spirit and the the City's 50th Golden Anniversary year in 2020. The next step is to host a site visit by Special Olympics Canada officials during the first week of July. This will include a tour of the proposed venues and a presentation by the local Bid Committee. The Games will be awarded on July 28, 2017.

Today the local Bid Committee invited the community to show their support for the bid by visiting getthegames.ca and/or using the hashtag #getthegames in social media platforms. The intent is to  demonstrate Thunder Bay's community support for the Games to Special Olympics Canada.

"We know Thunder Bay has a heart of gold," said Bid Committee Chair Paul Burke. "Help us get the Games by visiting getthegames.ca and demonstrating your support. Let's show Special Olympics Canada our community spirit and prove we are the best place to host the 2020 Games."

"If our city is chosen to host the 2020 Games, it will not only enhance the city's economy but will also bring more awareness to Special Olympics and help our athletes and volunteers grow," said Denita Minoletti, Treasurer/Event Coordinator of Special Olympics Ontario-Thunder Bay. "Everyone deserves the opportunity to participate in sport, no matter their disability. There is no greater joy than the smile on an athlete's face who has just crossed a finish line, no matter if they are a medal winner."

The Bid Committee announced today that the proposed dates for the Games are February 25 to 29, 2020. The members of the proposed 2020 Games Organizing Committee were also introduced.

The Special Olympics Canada Games began in 1974 and are national multi-sport Games for athletes with an intellectual disability. The Winter Games are held every four years and were last held in Cornerbrook, Newfoundland in 2016 where the estimated economic impact was $5.4 million. The event includes 8 sports: alpine skiing, 5-pin bowling, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing and speed skating. The Games will require approximately 750 volunteers.

Bid supporters include tbaytel, Tourism Northern Ontario, Thunder Bay International Airport Authority, Union Gas, Mallons Promotional Clothing and Products, Dougall Media and the Chronicle-Journal.

For more information, visit: www.getthegames.ca

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Contact: Paul Burke, Special Events Developer, 625-2305