Editor:
I find it shocking that during the lead up to the 2010 Winter Olympics, the provincial government has chosen to cut the funding for Special Olympics (according to Global News, Sunday, Sept. 27).
Of all the groups that have been chosen to receive cuts - and there are many - this one seems to have a special kind of irony attached to it.
How can the government justify giving $2.86 million to the Sunshine Coast - $30,000 to the District of Sechelt alone for the Torch Relay, essentially a one day event - while taking nearly $20,000 away from our local athletes who participate in one sport or another almost every week of the year?
Isn't the purpose of the Olympics to promote the importance of sports, the joy of competition, the thrill of trying one's best? Why would they take away that opportunity from the very special Olympians we have on the Coast?
These cuts mean that our local athletes may not be able to afford to buy new equipment, and they will definitely not be able to travel to other communities to compete in tournaments on the Mainland or be a part of the provincial games because of the additional challenges of ferry costs and usually the need to stay overnight because of schedules.
None of the money is used to pay salaries to people. It is run completely by volunteers! But they and the athletes will be watching from the sidelines as they see their $20,000 budget run past them carrying a torch.
Helen Halet
Roberts Creek
