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.

Special Olympics Manitoba’s Duane Brothers reflects on Black History Month, fostering diversity and inclusion in sport – and in life

For Black History Month, we are celebrating Special Olympics’ Black athletes, volunteers and supporters who fight for inclusion every day on and off the field. Meet Duane Brothers, Chair of Special Olympics Manitoba. He started his career as a high school history teacher and basketball coach and went on to serve as an Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of multiple school divisions in Winnipeg. Read below for a Q&A as he reflects on Black History Month.

monique-shah

Special Olympics Athlete and Mother Spread Message of Inclusion on CTV's The Social

Athlete Monique Shah and her mother June have been involved with the Special Olympics for 26 years, with numerous gold medals to Monique's name. They...

Happy Holidays from Special Olympics across Canada

It’s been a tough year for all of us with Special Olympics in-person programs shut down due to COVID-19. As always, Canadian athletes with an...

PEI’s Heidi Mallett selected to represent all Special Olympics North America athletes on Global Athlete Leadership Council

Mallett, 46, has been selected as the next Special Olympics North America (SONA) representative on Special Olympics International’s Global Athlete Leadership Council (GALC). She is the first Canadian in this role since the Council was created in 2017.

Special Olympics Canada Champions Network members Mark Tewksbury, Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue appointed to Order of Canada

Three Special Olympics Canada Champions Network members have been appointed to the Order of Canada – one of the country’s highest honours.

A Special Olympics Powerlifter performs a deadlift

#SeeTheAbility this Canadian Down Syndrome Week

These Special Olympics athletes want you to #SeeTheAbility this Canadian Down Syndrome Week - and every week.

Michael Jacques smiles looking at the camera

Special Olympics Ontario athlete and published author Michael Jacques set to release new children’s book on inclusion

Special Olympics Ontario athlete, author and inspirational speaker Michael Jacques has published his first children’s book.

This Special Olympics BC coach left a 30-year career to work fulltime with individuals with an intellectual disability

After 30 years as a certified dental assistant, British Columbia’s Misty Pagliaro took “the big leap” and changed her career entirely, so she could have a greater impact on those with an intellectual disability.

Meet Special Olympics Ontario – Kingston coach and motionballer, Chris Szymus

Special Olympics Ontario – Kingston coach and motionballer Chris Szymus started volunteering for the movement while he was attending Queen’s University – but wishes he got involved sooner. Growing up in Mississauga, Chris witnessed firsthand the impact Special Olympics had on his older brother Greg, who has autism spectrum disorder. He participates in Special Olympics five-pin bowling, softball and basketball.

These Nova Scotia sisters volunteer their Friday nights for young Special Olympics athletes – and wouldn’t have it any other way

Nova Scotia’s MacNeil sisters have had the ideal Friday night since they were teenagers: coaching Special Olympics FUNdamentals. Morgan, 23 and Abbie, 25, have volunteered with the Enfield program for children and youth with an intellectual disability for the past seven years. In 2018, they officially took over as Program Leaders.

Special Olympics Manitoba’s Duane Brothers reflects on Black History Month, fostering diversity and inclusion in sport – and in life

For Black History Month, we are celebrating Special Olympics’ Black athletes, volunteers and supporters who fight for inclusion every day on and off the field. Meet Duane Brothers, Chair of Special Olympics Manitoba. He started his career as a high school history teacher and basketball coach and went on to serve as an Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of multiple school divisions in Winnipeg. Read below for a Q&A as he reflects on Black History Month.

monique-shah

Special Olympics Athlete and Mother Spread Message of Inclusion on CTV's The Social

Athlete Monique Shah and her mother June have been involved with the Special Olympics for 26 years, with numerous gold medals to Monique's name. They...

Happy Holidays from Special Olympics across Canada

It’s been a tough year for all of us with Special Olympics in-person programs shut down due to COVID-19. As always, Canadian athletes with an...

PEI’s Heidi Mallett selected to represent all Special Olympics North America athletes on Global Athlete Leadership Council

Mallett, 46, has been selected as the next Special Olympics North America (SONA) representative on Special Olympics International’s Global Athlete Leadership Council (GALC). She is the first Canadian in this role since the Council was created in 2017.

Special Olympics Canada Champions Network members Mark Tewksbury, Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue appointed to Order of Canada

Three Special Olympics Canada Champions Network members have been appointed to the Order of Canada – one of the country’s highest honours.

A Special Olympics Powerlifter performs a deadlift

#SeeTheAbility this Canadian Down Syndrome Week

These Special Olympics athletes want you to #SeeTheAbility this Canadian Down Syndrome Week - and every week.

Michael Jacques smiles looking at the camera

Special Olympics Ontario athlete and published author Michael Jacques set to release new children’s book on inclusion

Special Olympics Ontario athlete, author and inspirational speaker Michael Jacques has published his first children’s book.

This Special Olympics BC coach left a 30-year career to work fulltime with individuals with an intellectual disability

After 30 years as a certified dental assistant, British Columbia’s Misty Pagliaro took “the big leap” and changed her career entirely, so she could have a greater impact on those with an intellectual disability.

Meet Special Olympics Ontario – Kingston coach and motionballer, Chris Szymus

Special Olympics Ontario – Kingston coach and motionballer Chris Szymus started volunteering for the movement while he was attending Queen’s University – but wishes he got involved sooner. Growing up in Mississauga, Chris witnessed firsthand the impact Special Olympics had on his older brother Greg, who has autism spectrum disorder. He participates in Special Olympics five-pin bowling, softball and basketball.

These Nova Scotia sisters volunteer their Friday nights for young Special Olympics athletes – and wouldn’t have it any other way

Nova Scotia’s MacNeil sisters have had the ideal Friday night since they were teenagers: coaching Special Olympics FUNdamentals. Morgan, 23 and Abbie, 25, have volunteered with the Enfield program for children and youth with an intellectual disability for the past seven years. In 2018, they officially took over as Program Leaders.