Athletic Achievement Award Winner Jesse Jensen
Special Olympics BC – Kimberly/Cranbrook athlete Jesse Jensen is the 2025 recipient of Special Olympics BC’s Athletic Achievement Award. For over 30 years, Jensen has shown strong dedication and love for sports, inspiring everyone around him. He is a multi-sport athlete, participating in cross country skiing, alpine skiing, bocce, and golf, swimming, softball, bowling, and curling.
“Jesse always shows up with a smile on his face and encourages all his fellow team members,” his nominators say.
Jensen has achieved many milestones in his athletic career, including competing at the 2000, 2020, and 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games. Most recently, he represented Special Olympics Team Canada at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. To prepare, Jensen trained hard, skiing two to three times a week, working out in the gym, and even doing off-season training like pole walking and hiking.
“When the days got shorter, Jessie could even be found wearing head lamps so he could be outside in the dark doing extra training,” his nominators say.
At the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games, he moved up from the Intermediate to the Advanced Division in alpine skiing. He took this change in stride, placing 5th in both the Advanced Slalom and Advanced Super-G races. Jensen’s hard work and training paid off, achieving personal bests.
Jensen is known for his sportsmanship and kindness. He encourages everyone, helps when someone is feeling down, and brings a smile to every competition.
“When we travel to other competition venues, Jesse forms friendships with new athletes, new coaches and new officials on other teams and celebrates their successes,” his nominators say.
Special Olympics BC is proud to award Jensen the 2025 Athletic Achievement Award and congratulates all the 2025 award nominees for their hard work and achievements.