Stories

Sharing the joy of sport

Special Olympics has received many incredible stories from people whose lives have been changed and enriched through sport, friendship, fun and mentorship. Some of those people have been kind enough to share their stories with you.

Visit our photo and video galleries featuring our athletes, coaches, and volunteers.

Meet Champion of Inclusion Dr. Martin Caouette from the University of Quebec

Dr. Martin Caouette is a Psychoeducator and professor at the Department of Psychoeducation at the University of Québec in Trois-Rivières. As the Self...

Watch Special Olympics athlete Jackie Barrett's history making induction to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

Record-breaking Powerlifter Jackie Barrett has made history once again as the first-ever Special Olympics athlete inducted in Canada’s Sports Hall of...

25 years later, Special Olympics coach says "I've only ever left a practice happier than I went into it"

When 17-year-old Eric Dunn took a summer job as a lifeguard in his community of West Island, Montreal, he had no idea it would lead to finding one of his greatest passions and purposes in life.

Special Olympics coach champions inclusion with a 100-km birthday marathon fundraiser

In honour of Global Week of Inclusion, Special Olympics is celebrating Champions of Inclusion: individuals leading the charge for respecting and...

Special Olympics athlete Chris Nikic makes history and inspires inclusion with world's attention

“When I started this, it was all about a boy and his dream. Now, it’s about so much more,” says Special Olympics athlete and international Champion of Inclusion, Chris Nikic.

Special Olympics mother and son celebrate #DifferencesDay

When Sosena Tezera first discovered that her son Emmanuel had a gross motor delay, it was extremely difficult for her to accept the differences and...

Celebrating the first-ever Differences Day!

This June 23 marks the first-ever Differences Day, a day of national recognition meant to celebrate our many differences, brought to you by Rise...

Special Olympics athletes planning for a comeback

Special Olympics athletes across the country have had a tough year being away from their regular in-person programming, but they are staying positive...

Special Olympics Alberta volunteers continue to help athletes reach their PEAK through virtual programming

When the pandemic put a pause on in-person programming, Special Olympics Alberta was quick to pivot to virtual support with the help of many dedicated volunteers. Together, they created the Provincial Exercise and Activity Knockout Program – known as PEAK – to help athletes stay engaged, connected, active and healthy. The program has now run two eight-week seasons challenging athletes to hit their selected fitness goals and attend virtual sessions to enhance their fitness, mind and health through a variety of activities.

On behalf of all Special Olympics athletes, Happy National Volunteer Week!

Crystal Williams has been a part of Special Olympics for the past 16 years. During that time, she’s competed in curling and bocce, volunteered at Provincial Games and even met her now husband, Matthew Williams, who just received recognition as Special Olympics Canada Athlete of the Year in 2020. Needless to say, Special Olympics has had a significant impact in Crystal’s life.

Meet Champion of Inclusion Dr. Martin Caouette from the University of Quebec

Dr. Martin Caouette is a Psychoeducator and professor at the Department of Psychoeducation at the University of Québec in Trois-Rivières. As the Self...

Watch Special Olympics athlete Jackie Barrett's history making induction to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

Record-breaking Powerlifter Jackie Barrett has made history once again as the first-ever Special Olympics athlete inducted in Canada’s Sports Hall of...

25 years later, Special Olympics coach says "I've only ever left a practice happier than I went into it"

When 17-year-old Eric Dunn took a summer job as a lifeguard in his community of West Island, Montreal, he had no idea it would lead to finding one of his greatest passions and purposes in life.

Special Olympics coach champions inclusion with a 100-km birthday marathon fundraiser

In honour of Global Week of Inclusion, Special Olympics is celebrating Champions of Inclusion: individuals leading the charge for respecting and...

Special Olympics athlete Chris Nikic makes history and inspires inclusion with world's attention

“When I started this, it was all about a boy and his dream. Now, it’s about so much more,” says Special Olympics athlete and international Champion of Inclusion, Chris Nikic.

Special Olympics mother and son celebrate #DifferencesDay

When Sosena Tezera first discovered that her son Emmanuel had a gross motor delay, it was extremely difficult for her to accept the differences and...

Celebrating the first-ever Differences Day!

This June 23 marks the first-ever Differences Day, a day of national recognition meant to celebrate our many differences, brought to you by Rise...

Special Olympics athletes planning for a comeback

Special Olympics athletes across the country have had a tough year being away from their regular in-person programming, but they are staying positive...

Special Olympics Alberta volunteers continue to help athletes reach their PEAK through virtual programming

When the pandemic put a pause on in-person programming, Special Olympics Alberta was quick to pivot to virtual support with the help of many dedicated volunteers. Together, they created the Provincial Exercise and Activity Knockout Program – known as PEAK – to help athletes stay engaged, connected, active and healthy. The program has now run two eight-week seasons challenging athletes to hit their selected fitness goals and attend virtual sessions to enhance their fitness, mind and health through a variety of activities.

On behalf of all Special Olympics athletes, Happy National Volunteer Week!

Crystal Williams has been a part of Special Olympics for the past 16 years. During that time, she’s competed in curling and bocce, volunteered at Provincial Games and even met her now husband, Matthew Williams, who just received recognition as Special Olympics Canada Athlete of the Year in 2020. Needless to say, Special Olympics has had a significant impact in Crystal’s life.