In July, the Special Olympics B.C. Summer Games came to town, with more than 1,100 athletes going for gold.

The two-day event featured thousands of fans in the stands and 1,200 volunteers working to make sure the Games ran smoothly.

“The courage with which these athletes competed … there is no limit to the try these athletes have,” he said. “It is just full on, full throttle, raw competition and it was just a remarkable thing to watch,” he said.

And the following month, saw the Royal Canadian Legion youth track and field championships bring 1,000 of the top track and field athletes between the ages of 12 and 17 from across the country to compete at McLeod Athletic Park.