Yukoner heading to Special Olympic World Summer Games

A 14-year-old Yukon athlete is going to compete in the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

Darby McIntyrehas qualified for Team Canada in Athletics.

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He's is thefirst Yukon athlete since 1983 to beselected to compete in the World Summer Games. A large number of Yukon athletes have competed in the past in the Special Olympics World Winter Games.

McIntyre hasbeen working hard to make the team.

I'm going down the path where I think sports are very important, he says. And they keep you fit and alive and it makes you healthy and it's fun.

McIntyre will compete in the standing long jump, shot put, the 1,500 metre and his personal favourite, the 5,000 metre race.

Hell be among the youngest competitors, with others ranging in age from 14 to 68.

Serge Michaud is the executive director of Special Olympics Yukon

They're huge, he says. There is really no other way to describe it. The pinnacle of our organization is the world games.

McIntyre isgetting ready for his first Team Canada training camp. It gets underway in Ontario in October.

Yellowknifer Mark Epelon will also compete with Team Canada as a swimmer.

The 2015 World Summer Games get underway in Los Angeles next July.