From February 26 to March 1, 2008, as part of its 400th anniversary festivities, Québec City has hosted its first Special Olympics National Games under the honorary presidency of Mr. Roch L. Dubé, president and chief executive officer of Bell Nordiq. This event has brought together over 1,000 athletes, coaches and mission staff members from Canada’s 10 provinces and 2 territories as well as more than 600 volunteers.

Competitions were held throughout the week in the following sports: curling, snowshoeing, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, floor hockey, figure skating and speed skating. The athletes selected for the Games strived for a place in Team Canada’s training group at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

The first Special Olympics National Winter Games were held in Edmundston (New Brunswick). The next National Winter Games were held respectively in Saskatoon (1992), Calgary (1996), Ottawa (2000) and Charlottetown (2004). The 2008 National Winter Games in Québec City have marked the event’s sixth edition in the 37 years that the Special Olympics movement has been in existence in Canada.

For the first time, the National Games have been held in our province. Team Québec has been represented by 108 athletes, coaches and mission staff selected following their participation in the 2007 Provincial Winter Games in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.