When asked whether he expects to return to North Vancouver with a medal strung around his neck, Special Olympics Team Canada 2015 basketball player Nick Kellof says he's feeling pretty good about his chances.
"They had a gold rush in California state a long, long time ago and I think there's still some left," he laughs.
Kellof, 35, is currently in Los Angeles, Calif., for the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games, running July 25 to Aug. 2. Special Olympics works to enrich the lives of people of all ages with intellectual disabilities through sport. Across the country, there are more than 38,000 children and adults who participate, supported by more than 17,000 volunteers.
The world games (held in similar fashion to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, alternating between winter and summer every two years), are described as the "largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015" and are attracting an estimated 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches from 177 countries.
This year's games will feature 25 Olympic-style sports in venues throughout the area and organizers are expecting to welcome 500,000 spectators over their run.
This year marks the first time Canada is sending a basketball team to the world games.
Kellof has been involved in Special Olympics programming since 1997 and has long vied for an opportunity to compete on the world stage.
"It's been a dream of his for a long time to get here and the day that I called him, I remember I was in tears calling him because I was so happy for him. He was just so excited that he was getting that chance finally," says Zak Klein, head coach of the Special Olympics Team Canada 2015 basketball team.
Kellof was called up to the team at the eleventh hour in light of an unfortunate injury affecting another player.
Kellof and Klein are among five North Shore residents that are members of Special Olympics Team Canada 2015, comprised of 165 athletes, mission staff and coaches from across the country.
Joining Kellof on the basketball court is Sangeon Yoo, 19.
The players made it through a number of qualifying rounds - regionals, provincials and nationals included - to make it to Team Canada. The team is comprised of 10 players - nine males and one female - from the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
Joining Klein as assistant coaches on the team are Jimmy Peterson and Jayne Baggott. All are volunteers.
"It was quite an honour (and) it was very humbling," says Klein on being chosen to be part of the team. "It's definitely a special feeling to know that you're one of three coaches across Canada being selected to represent your country."
Klein, a 25-year-old North Vancouver resident, got involved with Special Olympics B.C. - North Shore at age 15 in the wake of a car accident and resulting injuries to his knees.
"I was no longer able to participate in sports of my own but I wanted to give back to sports and still stay involved somehow," he says.
Familiar with the organization, he started volunteering with their soccer program, though soon after, he recruited Peterson, his best friend, to help him launch a basketball program to both fill a gap in the local chapter's programming as well as in light of his personal passion for the game.
"That's just kept me in ever since. It's my favourite sport and these are some of my favourite people and it's just a wonderful time," says Klein.
In addition to his volunteerism with Special Olympics, he works as a special education assistant at Lions Gate Christian Academy.
"Basically if I'm not working, I'm volunteering," he says.
"This is my 10th year now of coaching and it's pretty much the ultimate celebration of a decade volunteering. It's been incredible to see all the hard work that these athletes have put in over the past few years come to fruition and now they get to show their stuff on a world stage," he adds.
The 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games' opening ceremonies were held yesterday and Team Canada's basketball players will begin competing today.
"We'll play our divisioning games to see where we stack up against other competition. Once we play a couple of those divisioning games, then we'll get our schedule and we'll know who we're matched up against," says Klein.
Yoo is likewise hopeful regarding their chances of bringing home a gold medal.
"We've been practising three times a week. .. for nine months.. .. We play well together, we play hard and we run hard," he says.
The team will return home Aug. 3. For more information on this year's games, visit LA2015.org.
For information on Special Olympics B.C. - North Shore, visit sobcnorthshore.ca.
