Long-awaited return of a renamed Special Olympics event came Saturday
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It was a morning of chilly conditions but warm hearts at Cundari Field Saturday.
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After a three-year absence, the regional Special Olympic Games returned with a very emotional touch.
The competition has been renamed in honour of Jack Lyons.
Lyons, who passed away a few months ago at the age of 17, was a passionate and beloved Special Olympian. The event is now called the Jack Lyons Memorial Track Meet
His father Mark choked up about the event renaming, and said he did not know who suggested the change.
“It is a special day. We have always been involved in special needs-related events and especially the Special Olympics. Jack was always part of the equation in Special Olympics.”
Mark Lyons says Special Olympics made everyone involved a better person.
“You have kids that come last, and they are always happy. You just learn and grow from stuff and see this, and realize this is a true inspiration for a lot of people”
You can count Carley Tucker as one of the inspired. Tucker is a competitor who called Jack one of her best friends. She competed for him Saturday.
“I met him in 2015 and he was one of my closest friends and I am running for him today.”
Tucker was also relieved to be competing again.
“It is really emotional today, I am really excited, it has been a long three years.”
Rob Saunders, the event coordinator, had to manoeuvre through some emotional moments when asked about Jack Lyons’ impact on these types of competitions.
“It has been tough; he has been around for many years. He was always happy, in all his races. I do not know how many pictures I have of Jack. In every race he had a grin on his face. Even swimming, he had a smile on his face.
Sixty-five athletes were registered to compete in a wide variety of track and field events. They came from as far off as Manitoulin Island.
Insp. Jeff Warner of the North Bay Police Service was also at Cundari Field. Special Olympics is the No. 1 charity support target for police departments across Canada. Warner loves to see the athletes having fun.
“It is just a great event to take part in, to see the smiling faces of the athletes.”
North Bay police are hosting the annual torch run for Special Olympics Monday at 10 a.m.
This may have been just a one-day competition, but it will be forever known as the Jack Lyons Memorial Track Meet.
