The Nor-Am Classics for Special Olympics athletes gathered hundreds of gymnasts and racers Saturday during the 26th Défi sportif.
In Centre Pierre-Charbonneau, dozens of gymnasts skilfully handled club, hoop, ribbon, ball and rope in order to impress the judges.
Catherine Rochette, from Pont-Rouge, has become a regular at the Défi sportif. “I was really looking forward to taking part in the Défi sportif this year. I am performing new routines. I am doing well, but I would like to do even better,” said the gymnast who won five medals in the last Special Olympics Games in the fall of 2007.
To her, the Défi sportif is the first of many steps leading to the next World Games, to take place in Greece in 2011. “I want to take part in these Games, especially since they are in Greece,” insisted Rochette, who will first need to be selected through the official process. In order to qualify, she intends to take part in the Quebec Special Games this summer in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, and then in the Canada Special Games in London, Ontario, next year.
Cheering fans under the sun
In athletics, at Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard’s outdoor track, the crowd was cheering for hundreds of athletes who competed in the 50, 100, 200 and 800-metre events. The other competitions were shot put and long jump. For the first time in many years, Mother Nature sided with the Défi sportif, allowing the organizers to hold the events outdoors. Everyone was quite happy about this. “It was a lot more fun running outdoors, even if it was a little chilly.”
Starting with the preliminary heats, each race was followed by loud cheering, a tribute to all athletes wanting to outdo themselves… and to win, of course! Nancy Landriault, from Valleyfield, was proud of her performance in the running long jump. “I performed well in most of my attempts,” she recalls, “I used the right strategy.” The 22 year-old athlete also took part in the 100-metre and 200-metre events, as well as relays. Nancy is an all-around athlete, as she also plays basketball and ball hockey. “I truly enjoy training, it makes me feel good. I exercise a lot, as I also walk to work,” added Landriault, who trains twice a week.
Over 30 athletes from Centre de réadaptation du Suroit in Valleyfield took part in athletics on Saturday, under the supervision of the “best coach in the world” – according to all team members –, Danielle Sarazin. “Our athletes are anxious to come to the Défi sportif, since it is their first athletics competition of the season,” reported Danielle Sarazin.
A relay event concluded the athletics competition, in which runners were invited to unite their efforts and work as a team. “It is fun to have the chance to compete as a team, it helps us bond!” concluded Nancy Landriault.
Written by Sportcom