Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»is adding a second Olympics to its roster.
The city has been named host of the 2014 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, scheduled to run at the University of British Columbia.
"I think we proved we know how to organize great Games a year-and-ahalf ago," said Cathy Allinger, head of the 2014 organizing committee, about Vancouver's run at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
These Games will have athletes with intellectual disabilities from across Canada competing in 11 sports.
"These Games will be really exciting for Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»and British Columbia," Allinger said, adding the Games will boost awareness of intellectual disabilities.
The Special Olympics will use existing facilities at UBC for events. The Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre will host the opening and closing ceremonies.
This will mark the second time UBC has hosted the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games-the first being in 1990.
Allinger said the organizing committee will be looking to partner with several UBC faculties, such as its school of medicine and athletics, rather than going to private organizations.
The Games are to cost $1.5 to 2 million, estimates B.C. Special Olympics CEO Dan Howe.
The funding will be coming in from sponsors and the Special Olympics governing body, Howe said.
When it comes to the Special Olympics, Howe said there are three major misconceptions.
First, it's not the Paralympics-the Games that hosts athletes with physical disabilities and runs with the Olympic Games.
Second, the Games are not just an event. It's a year-round program for anyone, any age, with an intellectual disability who wants to push physical boundaries.
"There are so many benefits to taking part in sport," Howe said. "Whether it's an opportunity to train and compete, to improve your health, or to socialize with peers and meet new people."
Lastly, Howe said people believe these Games are for children. The Special Olympics, however, has athletes in their late teens to their 30s competing.
Running July 8 to 12, 2014, with the UBC residence facilities serving as an athlete's village, the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games will see 1,800 athletes, coaches and officials from across Canada attend the five-day event.
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