Three Abbotsford athletes have been named to Team Canada’s roster for next year’s Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.
Ten-pin bowler Austin Johnston qualified after helping Team BC win silver at the 2014 National Special Olympic Games earlier this year. Johnston also won a bronze in doubles and finished fourth in individual play.
Track and field athlete Mike Palitti is also headed to Los Angeles, thanks to gold medals in his division in both the 100- and 200-metre sprints. He also captured a silver in the 800 metres and long jump, and added a bronze in the 400 metres.
Soccer player Chris Hamilton will join the pair, after being picked up by Mission’s L.A.-bound soccer team.
Along with the players, track coach Tom Norton and soccer coach Vince Astoria will also be heading to Los Angeles.
B.C. will send a total of 57 athletes and 16 coaches and mission staff to the event, which will feature more than 7,000 athletes from around the world. The games take place over nine days at venues throughout L.A.