Two athletes from Assiniboia and one from Bengough joined 322 other athletes on Team Saskatchewan to compete in the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg and Brandon. The games started on July 28 and will be held until August 13 in several venues in Winnipeg as well as at the Yacht Club in Gimli and the Rowing Club in nearby Kenora.
Bradyn Giraudier of Assiniboia competed in the second heat of the men鈥檚 100 m race of the Special Olympics on July 31 at the University of Manitoba venue. He placed third in the heat with a time of 12.43 seconds. This result earned him a spot in the final on August 3.
Bradyn finished the A final 100 m race in a respectable fourth place with a time of 12.310 seconds. Overall, he placed 17th in the Special Olympics men鈥檚 100 m. Bradyn also competed in the 200 m race in Special Olympics. He placed second in the first heat with a time of 25.18 seconds. He moved on to the final on August 4 coming in fourth with a time of 12.31 seconds and placing 16th overall. Bradyn has played in his sport for seven years and has also participated in provincial finals previously.
Kyle Giraudier of Assiniboia also competed in the men鈥檚 100 m race in Special Olympics. He placed fourth in the third heat on July 31 with a time of 13.45 seconds. This result earned him a spot in the B final on August 3, where he placed fifth with a time of 13.42 seconds.
Overall, he placed 13th in the Special Olympics men鈥檚 100 m. Kyle also competed in the men鈥檚 200 m in the Special Olympics on August 1. He placed third in the third heat with a time of 27.21 seconds. The B finals took place on August 4 and he came in third with a time of 27.36 seconds placing 12th overall. Kyle has been involved in track for four years and is coached by Curt Keil.
Joely Welburn of Bengough competed in the female high jump on August 1. She placed sixth in the final with a height of 1.65 m and ranked sixth in the final standings for female high jump. Welburn also competed in the qualifying round of the female triple jump on August 1. She placed 17th with a distance of 10.72 m.
Welburn was involved in track events for eight years. This year she excelled at the SHSAA provincials and took first in high jump, second in triple jump and third in long jump.
Team Saskatchewan has 325 athletes ranging in ages from 11 to 59 years old. In addition to competing athletes, the team includes 74 coaches and support staff and 19 Team Sask mission staff who are attending the games. The Saskatchewan team represents 73 communities. Saskatchewan is in sixth place in the medal standings with four gold, eight silver and 10 bronze medals as of August 8.
