Mr. Speaker, this past week Collingwood in my riding of Wellington-Grey-Dufferin-Simcoe co-hosted the sixth Special Olympics World Winter Games.
I was pleased to present medals to athletes and to witness Collingwood events, including alpine skiing at Blue Mountain and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Duntroon.
The mission of the special Olympics is to provide year round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for children and adults with mental disabilities. Special Olympics gives these athletes continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, to experience courage and joy and to participate in sharing gifts, skills and friendship with other athletes from around the world.
Everyone involved with the 1997 Special Olympics World Winter Games should be proud of their success and inspired by the courage and talent of the athletes. A great deal can be learned from the special Olympics oath: "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt".