Tessa Bradshaw – Contributor

Bishop’s is known for our community events. This is shown through students’ passion to get involved, foster connections and work towards making a positive change. If you share this passion, join the Bishop’s Motionball Committee for our eighth annual Marathon of Sport on Sunday, Mar. 22. The Marathon of Sport gathers students, community members and Special Olympic Athletes for a day of fun and inclusive sports, all while raising funds and awareness in support of the Special Olympics Canada Foundation. This event runs in 19 cities across Canada with the help of young leaders who believe in the importance of “choosing to include”.

Image courtesy of Tessa Bradshaw

You may be wondering: How do I get involved? To participate, students sign up in teams of ten and fundraise leading up to the event. On the day of the event, local Special Olympic Athletes join these teams. Bonds are formed quickly as students and athletes create cheers, decorate posters and connect through sports. Teams rotate through various stations, including ultimate frisbee, soccer, Just Dance, bench ball and “minute-to-win-it” games. The day is fueled by smiles, great music, Red Bull and a delicious lunch provided by the committee.

Sports bring people together, and that is exactly what the Marathon of Sport demonstrates. It is about sportsmanship, positivity and respect. We focus on bringing the community together, to focus on our similarities rather than our differences. You see the power of this event in the faces of the Special Olympic Athletes when the day is done, and they leave proud, with medals around their necks. Shelby St-Hilaire, a local two-time Special Olympics alpine skier and silver medalist, noted in a recent interview: “Not only do you have lots of fun playing sports, you get the chance to meet so many new athletes as well!” Beyond the sports, it is these moments of connection that make the Marathon of Sport so special.

I joined the Motionball Committee during my first year at Bishop’s after reading about it in The Dish. It was a cause that immediately resonated with me. Five years later, this is my second year as Event Director, and I am confident that I will continue to be involved with this organization beyond my time at BU. Once you experience the Marathon of Sport, you will never step away. The impact that this event has on our local Special Olympic Athletes goes beyond any monetary amount; they look forward to this day all year as a moment for them to shine and get the recognition that they deserve. You quickly realize the difference you can make simply by believing in someone and making them feel valued. Join us for a day that demonstrates true sportsmanship and the power of community. 

If you would like to learn more about our event and how you can get involved, visit our Instagram page, @motionballubishops or send us an email at: bishops@motionball.com. We can’t wait to see you on Mar. 22!