![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Polar plunge kicks off Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary Festivities.
This year, the 12th annual Polar Plunge in Calgary is also part of the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Officials from the games as well as Alberta Sheriffs, the Calgary Police Service, Calgary 911, the Calgary Emergency Management Agency, Calgary Transit Public Safety, the Calgary Remand Centre, and the Special Olympics cheer team athletes took a very chilly plunge into Arbour Lake Saturday morning.
Sarah Desilets was one of the 250 people participating in the Calgary event.
“I think community involvement is important with these types of things and having everyone involved and excited; it’s just fun all around,” Desilets said.
Each year, the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge benefits the more than 2,800 Special Olympics Alberta athletes.
The Calgary plungers have raised $40,000 so far.
“We’re looking to raise about $100,000 all through Alberta; from my understanding we’re already at that but we still have a couple more plunges to do,” said Calgary Police Service Detective Theresa Garagan.
The Torch Run began Friday, February 23 and saw law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes carry the Flame of Hope across 12 Alberta communities to the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games on Tuesday, February 27 and run through to Saturday, March 2.
“It’s about raising awareness and funds for special Olympic athletes in order for them to participate in games,” said Garagan.
Athletes with an intellectual disability from across Canada’s 12 Provincial/Territorial Special Olympics Chapters will be in Calgary to compete in several sports including five-pin bowling, alpine skiing, curling, figure skating and floor hockey.
In some cases, athletes who achieve their personal bests may be named to Special Olympics Team Canada.
About 1,500 volunteers will help ensure the event runs smoothly.
For more information on the games, go here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976944.1721898750!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
DEVELOPING Jasper wildfire burns buildings, while poor air quality forces some fire crews out
A fast-moving wildfire has hit Jasper, Alberta, destroying buildings and chasing some wildland firefighters away with dangerously poor air quality.
Jasper mayor says alert system to be reviewed after message 'glitch'
More than 25,000 people have been displaced from Jasper National Park since wildfires started to threaten the picturesque corner of Alberta Rockies on Monday, but the mayor of its namesake municipality says not everyone received an evacuation alert when it was sent out.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.