The World Dwarf Games are going to be held at the University of Guelph from Aug. 4 to 12.
About 400 athletes from countries around the world are expected to flock to Guelph for the Games.
Hosted every four years, the games feature people with dwarfism, of all ages and abilities, competing in archery, basketball, floor hockey, power lifting, soccer, swimming, track and field, volleyball and more.
The Guelph venue was chosen by the International Dwarf Athletic Federation in 2015 after Erin resident Heather Anderson, leading a group of volunteers, submitted the bid.
Her son John Ferguson, who graduated from Erin District High School and now attends McMaster University, is participating in many of the Sports.
“For the athletes and for the families, it’s just a fantastic opportunity to come and participate with other people of similar stature,” said Anderson. She added many athletes are participating in Sports in their own communities and getting together brings a “sense of camaraderie [and] a sense of fun.”
However, she noted, “The competition is quite fierce.”
The first World Dwarf Games were held in Chicago in 1993. The event has also been hosted in the UK, Ireland, France and Canada.
This will be the first year Guelph has hosted the games.
“I chose Guelph because I thought it would be a really welcoming community,” said Anderson.
The games are organized by age divisions: futures (6 and under), junior A (7 to 11), junior B (12 to 15), open (any age) and masters (35 and over).
Anderson said it is great to have young kids meet the elite athletes, including those that compete in the Paralympics.
“When you see the impact that it has for these kids to have this opportunity it’s really fantastic,” she said.
Ferguson, 19, said he is looking forward to the games in August, adding he has wanted to compete since he was a boy. He first participated in the 2013 World Dwarf Games in Michigan.
“Getting a chance to compete with people from all over the world, and getting to represent my country with other little people was an opportunity I could not pass up,” said Ferguson, who will be competing in all of the team Sports. “Not only is it special because of the sporting events held throughout the week, but it’s also a great place to socialize and hang out with people of similar stature.
“Getting a break from being the ‘little guy’ and putting all our differences to the side for a week is what makes the Games an event no little person can pass up.”
Anderson said events like the World Dwarf Games and Paralympics provide inspiration to younger athletes.
“When you see all the representatives from all the different countries with all the varying disabilities, you think … these people, through all their challenges, also had the opportunity to find out what they can really excel at,” she said.
The 2017 World Dwarf Games will be the largest sporting event held exclusively for athletes with dwarfism. The opening ceremony takes place at Alumni Stadium on Aug. 4 at 7pm. Events start the next day and wrap up prior to the closing ceremony on Aug. 12.
So far, athletes from 14 countries, including Australia, Kazakhstan, Germany, and Philippines, have registered.
