In typical Special Olympic fashion, Thursday evening’s send-off of Team Yukon to the Canada Summer Games was nothing less than pure, enthusiastic energy.

It began with the introduction of the bowling team that represented the territory at the national championships in May, bringing home a team silver and three individual medals.

As Special O runner Darby McIntyre humourously said in his address to the audience about the achievements of the bowlers and their coach: “They must have been on a roll.”

Antigonish, N.S., doesn’t have the bowling facilities to host the Summer Games, so the bowling championships were held ahead of time in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

The rest of the team departs a week from Sunday for the five days of Games in Antigonish beginning July 31.

Twenty athletes will compete on behalf of the territory in athletics, bocce, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming and soccer, accompanied by their coaches and support staff – and 65 cheering fans.

The athletes’ commitment to their training and preparation was saluted last night by guests who spoke of the challenges they’ve faced.

They spoke of their perseverance and the role models they’ve become.

“Pat yourselves on the back, you have done an amazing job, yet again,” said Dana Klock of Urban Realty Group, a major sponsor of the local Special Olympics program. “To all the coaches and volunteers, thank you for the sparkles in their eyes and the smiles on their faces.

“To all the athletes, you are mentors and teachers to us all for your dedication and determination. You have proven yourselves year after year at the Games.

“Just remember you are all winners in our eyes already,” said Klock, whose son Zachary Lessard is in the Special O program.

MC Moira Sauer of the local radio station CKRW reminded the audience how the first Special Olympic World Games took place 50 ago years at Soldier’s Field in Chicago, Ill. One thousand athletes from Canada and the U.S. competed in athletics, swimming and floor hockey.

“It was thanks to Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Canadian Dr. Frank Hayden that the world got the opportunity to see what individuals with intellectual disabilities can do on the field of play. Today, more than 5.6 million athletes from around the globe participate in the Special Olympics programs.”

She told the audience how tomorrow in celebration of the 50th anniversary, every Tim Hortons in Canada will be selling – for one day only – a special donut designed by a Special O athlete from Alberta, with all proceeds going to Special Olympics.

As part of the entertainment, the local group Crooked Fold had the athletes and audience up dancing to Celtic sounds of the East Coast.

Rhythmic gymnast Aimee Lien performed her rope routine.

Community Services Minister John Streicker showed up wearing the Special Olympic purple. He had on his wife’s purple scarf, a purple dress shirt, another purple dress shirt underneath, and a purple Special Olympic T-shirt underneath his two dress shirts. He invited all the members of Team Yukon to sign his T-shirt after the send-off celebration.

It will be hung in the territorial cabinet office.

The minister mentioned Premier Sandy Silver is from Antigonish.

“What I get to announce today is our premier, deputy premier and myself are going to be there, and get to cheer you on at the Games.

“You are going to represent the Yukon. That is what you get to do, you get to be Yukon’s ambassadors at the Games.”

In keeping with his humourous and energetic address, the decorated Special O runner told the audience his grandma was born in Antigonish.

“She has told us lots of stories about my Auntie Gonish, Uncle Gonish and little cousins Gonish,” McIntyre joked before leading the room in a rousing cheer.

The send off was not without softer, heartfelt moments.

Track and field athlete Jessica Pruden cited the athlete’s oath.

Let me win,

but if I cannot win,

let me be brave in the attempt

There was emotion as swimmer Kevin Spofford and Grant MacDonald of the Law Enforcement Torch Run organization carried the Flame of Hope through the ballroom.

And then there was the announcement of who would carry the flag, who would lead Team Yukon into the opening ceremony the evening of July 31.

It’s a random selection, with the names of all participating athletes put into a hat, with the exception of those who’ve already had the honour.

Gaetan Michaud of the 11-member soccer team will carry Yukon’s flag and lead his Team Yukon into the Charles V. Keating Centre at St. Francis Xavier University.

A traditional East Coast Sou’wester fishing hat was placed on Michaud’s head, just before he received the flag from Chef de Mission Brettanie Deal-Porter.

He smiled a big smile, as he brushed away tears.