Making an Impact in our Community through the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024
March 08, 2024
Last week, between Feb. 27 and March 2, over 1,000 athletes from across Canada descended upon Calgary to participate in the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024, accompanied by coaches, managers, family and friends.
Black Diamond Group was honoured to be involved in many ways – as an Impact Sponsor, Presenting Sponsor of the Snowshoeing Competitions, and official provider of modular space at various venues throughout the city for this year’s games.
“For many years, Black Diamond Group has been a proud supporter and active participant in initiatives that impact the communities where we live and work, with sport often taking centre stage. As a sponsor of this year's Winter Games, we were proud to give back to an incredible organization that creates opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities to participate and showcase their talents,” said Trevor Haynes, Chairman & CEO. “We have long said that sport is a force for good, and the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024 is the true embodiment of this belief – we were honoured to be an active supporter of the Games!”
As with all our community investment initiatives, our team members actively engaged and rallied to support the Games throughout the week, attending and participating in many events. We know our support and impact is amplified through our team’s efforts and involvement, and we are proud of their commitment to personally giving back to the community.
On Monday, Feb. 26 we participated in the Celebrity Snowshoe Race, presented by Black Diamond Group, which kicked off the weeklong Games. Four of our team members – Yvan Moquin, Senior Vice President, General Counsel; Nicole Sasaki, Vice President, Operations Controller MSS; Dylan Glen, Office Services Assistant; and Cole Amantea, Corporate Development Analyst, donned snowshoes to participate in this friendly competition, while various other team members volunteered by serving hot chocolate at the race.
A select few team members also had the privilege of attending the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024 Opening Ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at the Nutrien Western Event Centre. Over 1,200 athletes, coaches, managers, and mission staff from 12 provinces and territories gathered to formally open the Games with the lighting of the cauldron – which has become a symbolic heartbeat, igniting not just a flame but a spirit that guides participants through their athletic competition and journey.
On Thursday, Feb. 29, Yvan Moquin, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, presented the medals for the 800 metre snowshoe races to the winning athletes.
“Spending the afternoon with these incredible athletes was inspiring,” said Yvan Moquin, Senior Vice President, General Counsel. “It was an honour to present the winners with their medals in recognition of their years of effort and training that ultimately led to their successful races and victories.”
We are also very proud of Black Diamond’s own, Michael Heeb, VP, Safety, Talent Development & Sustainability, for his active, personal involvement in the Games. As an avid curler himself, Michael held a volunteer leadership role as a member of the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024 Planning Committee, focusing on the sport of curling. Throughout the Games this year, he acted as Venue Lead for the curling competitions, coordinating with management and volunteer teams at the North Hill Curling Club. He also supported other cross-functional groups on the committee, coordinating food service, medical, volunteers, training, opening ceremonies, medal presentations and more.
Finally, several of our team members also volunteered their time throughout the Games to ensure athletes, their families, friends and coaches had memorable experiences.
It was a true honour to be among the athletes, families, coaches, supporters, and sponsors who participated in making the Games a success. At Black Diamond, we believe that through the power of sport and community, we can create a lasting impact – just as these Games have left a lasting impact in our city, and to all those involved!
Playing just a small part in supporting the experience of the athletes striving to achieve sports excellence was a privilege! Thank you to the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024 for giving us the opportunity to be involved.
For more information, please visit the official Games website, here: https://calgary2024.specialolympics.ca/
Our Support of the Games
Black Diamond Group was honoured to be involved in many ways – as an Impact Sponsor, Presenting Sponsor of the Snowshoeing Competitions, and official provider of modular space at various venues throughout the city for this year’s games.“For many years, Black Diamond Group has been a proud supporter and active participant in initiatives that impact the communities where we live and work, with sport often taking centre stage. As a sponsor of this year's Winter Games, we were proud to give back to an incredible organization that creates opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities to participate and showcase their talents,” said Trevor Haynes, Chairman & CEO. “We have long said that sport is a force for good, and the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024 is the true embodiment of this belief – we were honoured to be an active supporter of the Games!”
Our Team’s Support & Participation
As with all our community investment initiatives, our team members actively engaged and rallied to support the Games throughout the week, attending and participating in many events. We know our support and impact is amplified through our team’s efforts and involvement, and we are proud of their commitment to personally giving back to the community. On Monday, Feb. 26 we participated in the Celebrity Snowshoe Race, presented by Black Diamond Group, which kicked off the weeklong Games. Four of our team members – Yvan Moquin, Senior Vice President, General Counsel; Nicole Sasaki, Vice President, Operations Controller MSS; Dylan Glen, Office Services Assistant; and Cole Amantea, Corporate Development Analyst, donned snowshoes to participate in this friendly competition, while various other team members volunteered by serving hot chocolate at the race.
Black Diamond Group team members ready to compete in the Celebrity Snowshoe Race.
A select few team members also had the privilege of attending the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024 Opening Ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at the Nutrien Western Event Centre. Over 1,200 athletes, coaches, managers, and mission staff from 12 provinces and territories gathered to formally open the Games with the lighting of the cauldron – which has become a symbolic heartbeat, igniting not just a flame but a spirit that guides participants through their athletic competition and journey.
On Thursday, Feb. 29, Yvan Moquin, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, presented the medals for the 800 metre snowshoe races to the winning athletes.
“Spending the afternoon with these incredible athletes was inspiring,” said Yvan Moquin, Senior Vice President, General Counsel. “It was an honour to present the winners with their medals in recognition of their years of effort and training that ultimately led to their successful races and victories.”
We are also very proud of Black Diamond’s own, Michael Heeb, VP, Safety, Talent Development & Sustainability, for his active, personal involvement in the Games. As an avid curler himself, Michael held a volunteer leadership role as a member of the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024 Planning Committee, focusing on the sport of curling. Throughout the Games this year, he acted as Venue Lead for the curling competitions, coordinating with management and volunteer teams at the North Hill Curling Club. He also supported other cross-functional groups on the committee, coordinating food service, medical, volunteers, training, opening ceremonies, medal presentations and more.
Curling volunteers at the North Hill Curling Club. Photo courtesy of Todd Korol.
Finally, several of our team members also volunteered their time throughout the Games to ensure athletes, their families, friends and coaches had memorable experiences.
Thank you
It was a true honour to be among the athletes, families, coaches, supporters, and sponsors who participated in making the Games a success. At Black Diamond, we believe that through the power of sport and community, we can create a lasting impact – just as these Games have left a lasting impact in our city, and to all those involved! Playing just a small part in supporting the experience of the athletes striving to achieve sports excellence was a privilege! Thank you to the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024 for giving us the opportunity to be involved.
For more information, please visit the official Games website, here: https://calgary2024.specialolympics.ca/
