Duane Hicks
The Rainy River District OPP detachment is helping local athlete David Ducasse get to the Special Olympics 2012 Ontario Provincial Spring Games in Kingston from May 31-June 3.
The detachment is supporting Ducasse, who will be competing in five-pin bowling at the Games, through the Ontario Special Olympics’ “Adopt an Athlete” program.
The OPP is hoping to raise at least $500 to help out Ducasse, who also will be fundraising on his own.
In an interview Monday, Ducasse said he’s grateful for the OPP “adopting” him.
“It feels great to have support. I couldn’t ask for better people to get support from—your own police force,” he smiled.
“It would be hard to raise enough money to go if we didn’t have that [support],” added Ducasse. “I think we would have to find some other way to raise this much.
“I might be able to go, but it would hard to raise this much.
“This really gives the athletes the initiative to go out [and raise money on their own],” he reasoned.
“It’s given me, myself, the initiative to go out and get more than what I used to raise.”
This will mark the third time Ducasse has gone to the Spring Games for five-pin bowling, having previously attended in 2008 and 2000.
A Special Olympic athlete for more than 30 years, he also has competed at the provincial and national level in sports like snowshoeing, softball, and long-distance running in the past—and may compete in speed skating down the road.
Whether he wins or not, Ducasse has a positive attitude about competing at the Spring Games.
“I am just hoping to do my best and have fun,” he remarked.
Ducasse said the Special Olympics are very important to those who participate. For example, the team sports provide an opportunity for those who may not be able to qualify for individual sports to participate in a large event.
He added the Special Olympic athletes also learn—and then exemplify—sportsmanship. And most importantly, the sporting events draw the participants and their families closer together.
“The families are really proud of their sons and daughters,” Ducasse remarked. “The Special Olympic athletes and their families have gotten closer.
“Once [the athletes] got into the events, their families got more interested in their sons and daughters.
“It’s made a difference with the families,” he stressed.
Coach Gaby Hanzuk, who has been involved with Special Olympics for 25 years, said she’s very happy to see Ducasse “adopted” by the district OPP.
She noted that coaches for other levels of sport see a new batch of athletes every year. But when working with Special Olympic athletes, some of whom she’s worked with for a quarter-century, the athletes become “like a family” to her.
“It becomes more than just being a coach. You become family, and a confidante,” she chuckled.
“You solve problems, and sometimes create them, too,” she admitted. “But you try not to.”
Local OPP Community Services Officer Cst. Anne McCoy said the detachment is pleased to support Ducasse and help ensure he has the financial ability to attend the Games.
“We’re really proud to be able to play a part in helping David and his aspirations to get to the Games, and we’re hoping that by us making some awareness of the Games in our own community, that others may want to help support, as well,” she remarked.
Cst. McCoy said the Red Lake and Dryden OPP detachments also have “adopted” athletes, and the local detachment decided to do the same
She added it’s a great distance to travel to southern Ontario—and a substantial cost—and the OPP “can appreciate that it’s a hardship to try and find extra money.”
“We see David out in the community,” she noted. “He’s a hard-working guy, and he has participated in Special Olympics, the torch run—we’re proud to come together and help him meet his goals.
“If there’s anything we can do to get him there, we’re going to do that.”
Echoing Ducasse, Cst. McCoy said the Games are important to the athletes as they teach sportsmanship, skills, and bring families closer together.
“We have a lot of OPP officers that participate in the Games, with the opening and closing ceremonies, and every single one that I’ve talked to said how fabulous an experience it was to take part in it,” she remarked.
Anyone interested in helping support Ducasse is asked to visit the Rainy River District OPP detachment or go online to www.specialolympics2012games.com
While at the website, go under the “Adopt An Athlete” program and search for individual fundraiser, “Rainy River District Ontario Provincial Police Detachment.”
Cst. McCoy explained the fundraising is amongst detachment staff, who are hoping to raise at least $500 to help Ducasse, but the public is more than welcome to make a donation.
The 2012 Spring Games are expected to see more than 900 athletes and coaches from across the province gather in Kingston to compete in five- and 10-pin bowling, basketball, swimming, bocce, and powerlifting.
