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
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'oesn't get' the global phenomenom.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
Tornadoes collapse buildings and level homes in Nebraska and Iowa
Tornadoes wreaked havoc Friday in the Midwest, causing a building to collapse with dozens of people inside and destroying and damaging hundreds of homes, many around Omaha, Neb.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
opinion RFK Jr.'s presidential candidacy and its potential threat to Biden and Trump
Although it's still unclear how much damage Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy can do to either Joe Biden or Donald Trump this election, Washington political columnist Eric Ham says what is clear is both sides recognize the potential threat.
Haida elder suing Catholic Church and priest, hopes for 'healing and reconciliation'
The lawyer for a residential school survivor leading a proposed class-action defamation lawsuit against the Catholic Church over residential schools says the court action is a last resort.
Cisco reveals security breach, warns of state-sponsored spy campaign
State-sponsored actors targeted security devices used by governments around the world, according to technology firm Cisco Systems, which said the network devices are coveted intrusion points by spies.