Beloved 'Operation Trackshoes' sports festival ending after 50 years
A highlight for thousands of athletes in B.C. is coming to an end after 50 years in operation.
The sports festival Operation Trackshoes launched on Vancouver Island in 1971.
"A small group of us had seen a film on Special Olympics and a couple of us had just been up at summer camp, and we wanted to put those concepts together," said Operation Trackshoes president Judith Armstrong about the formation of the event.
Since then, anyone with a developmental disability in B.C. who wants to compete has been welcomed into the sports festival.
From running, to soccer to tug-of-war, the event has meant a lot to competitors and their friends and family members.
Nothing beats the roar of the crowd.
"Everybody cheering you on when you do the 1,500 [metre run]," said athlete Dixon McGowan, who started competing back in 1987.
Over the years, he's collected many ribbons and has a scrapbook celebrating the event.
Besides the games, some people just love the banquet and the dance.
"We love to gather," said Armstrong with a laugh.
Dixon even started DJ-ing the teen dance for the event, and picked up a fun nickname.
"DJ Lighting!" he told CTV News with enthusiasm.
But after 50 years, the baton starts to get heavy.
A lack of resources and personnel means Operation Trackshoes is coming to an end.
"I'm just very grateful we get to do it one more time," said Armstrong.
The 50th Operation Trackshoes kicks off in Victoria from June 9 to 11.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most wanted fugitive in Canada arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
The most wanted fugitive in Canada was arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Tuesday night.
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
Harvey Weinstein appears in court after his New York rape conviction was overturned
Harvey Weinstein was back in a New York courtroom Wednesday for his first appearance since an appeals court last week overturned his 2020 rape conviction and ordered a new trial.
Toddler of Phoenix first responder dies after bounce house goes airborne
A two-year-old child died after a strong gust of wind sent the bounce house he was in airborne and into a neighbouring lot in central Arizona, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship
A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.
Dental care program starts accepting claims for 1 million seniors
The first seniors to register with the new federal dental care plan can now start submitting claims.
Wisconsin school district says active shooter 'neutralized' outside middle school
A Wisconsin school district said an active shooter was 'neutralized' outside a middle school in Mount Horeb on Wednesday, and no one inside the building was injured.
How can I tell if I have norovirus? Expert explains symptoms
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.
Blair says he couldn't sell cabinet on meeting 'magical threshold' of NATO target
Defence Minister Bill Blair says he couldn't convince the Liberal cabinet that Canada's government needed to meet NATO's spending target in its recent defence policy update.