By Tommy Osborne

Special Olympics

City Hall flag raising commemorates start of Special Olympics week

Jul 7, 2025 | 4:21 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – City Hall was buzzing with excitement, as a flag raising was held on July 7 to celebrate the start of Special Olympics Week in Prince George.

“This is the moment we’ve been waiting for for quite some time. A lot of volunteers, a huge amount of work went into this already. We’re so excited for this week to host the 1200 athletes, the families, the coaches, and everybody involved in this program,” Mayor Simon Yu said.

“It’s amazing, there’s so many volunteers, there’s some amazing people, and I’m so happy,” said Special Olympics power lifter Samuel Russell.

“Our athletes have been training hard. It’s a four year journey to get here for every athlete in the province, and they’re looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to it, my son is looking forward to it. Lots of hype in the community everywhere I go,” added Peter Goudal, Special Olympics Prince George’s Local Coordinator.

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This week is Special Olympics week because the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games will be hosted this week. The Law Enforcement Torch Run will take place on July 9 at 10:30 a.m., followed by the opening ceremonies on July 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the CN Centre, with the games starting July 11. Goudal hopes the community comes out to support the athletes at these events and the games itself, as he says it’s about much more than just the sport, it’s stories of determination and sometimes overcoming incredible odds.

“We had one athlete during Covid, he actually had a heart attack and he got better, and he’s going to be participating in these games. My son had a weird ailment two years ago with his muscles, he couldn’t move and he’s gotten himself better, and he’s going to be participating in these games,” Goudal said.

“We’ve had a couple athletes who parents, their biggest supporters, passed away this year and they’re going to be participating in these games without their number one supporters,” he continued.

While the sports are, of course, the main focus of the provincial games, Goudal adds it’s also about supporting our athletes with intellectual disabilities and celebrating that they too are valued members of our community.

“Come cheer them on, they will inspire you. You will be inspired this weekend,” Goudal said.

“It’s so amazing because all of our friends, all our athletes and coaches too (will be there), and there’s so many amazing people. I’m so happy” Russell said.

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