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.

Image of an accessible indoor learning centre
Meet this Champion of Inclusion working tirelessly to make Saskatchewan schools accessible and inclusive
A Southern Saskatchewan school district credits its very own Champion of Inclusion, Bob Ballantyne, for its accessible and inclusive facilities.
view full
Athletes high five at a ASAA Unifed Sport event
Meet the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association: Champions of Inclusion – and Unified Sports
Five years ago, Special Olympics Unified Sports – a program that brings together people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team – didn’t exist in Alberta high schools. Today, almost 20 per cent of the province’s schools boast successful programs...
view full
Roshan and two other men pose for a photo in a frame
This 22-year-old Special Olympics BC volunteer is a long-time Champion of Inclusion
When Roshan Gosal signed up to volunteer for Special Olympics BC in grade 10, he was just hoping to fulfill his required community service hours for high school. After coaching one soccer practice, he was “hooked.”
view full
x
Saskatoon’s Brenda Baker Chooses To Include with integrated youth choir Kids of Note
Saskatoon’s Brenda Baker, an award-winning singer and former children’s entertainer, wanted to pass on her love of music to her daughter Tori, who had Down syndrome. When she couldn’t find a local choir that accommodates the needs of children with an intellectual disability, she decided to start her own.
view full
x
Meet the boss who Chooses To Include this Special Olympics Ontario athlete – and her busy training schedule
Balancing a work schedule, Special Olympics practices and competitions can be tough for Peterborough’s Crystal Cochrane, but her boss at Wendy’s in Peterborough always makes it work.
view full
x
From hiring Special Olympics athletes to supporting programs and events, Tim Hortons is a true Champion of Inclusion
There are countless Tim Hortons restaurants across Canada that include Special Olympics athletes and Canadians with an intellectual disability as part of their team. A National Partner of Special Olympics Canada since 2015, Tim Hortons is a true Champion of Inclusion.
view full
x
From using a walker to running: How a community program helps this five-year-old reach her full potential
Every Thursday morning five-year-old Alma Loken jumps out of bed filled with excitement. “I’m awake! It’s Special Olympics day!” she exclaims. Since...
view full
Jackie Barrett performs a squat at World Games
Record-breaking Powerlifter Jackie Barrett first-ever Special Olympics athlete inducted in Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
The now retired Corner Brook athlete, also known as “the Newfoundland Moose,” has broken not only Special Olympics records throughout his 28-year career, but also those of his able-bodied counterparts.
view full
Brita holds ribbon won through Special Olympics.
After debilitating car crash, this Special Olympics athlete defies odds and becomes gold medalist
At just nine-weeks-old, Manitoba’s Brita Hall was in a car crash that resulted in the loss of the cognitive function of her brain. Doctors said she...
view full
The Demeulenaere pose for a photo.
This Prince Edward Island Family is paving the way for a more inclusive Canada
In 2012, Prince Edward Island ’s Tracey and Mike Demeulenaere were heartbroken to learn their unborn daughter, Kelsey, would have Down syndrome...
view full
Image of an accessible indoor learning centre
Meet this Champion of Inclusion working tirelessly to make Saskatchewan schools accessible and inclusive
A Southern Saskatchewan school district credits its very own Champion of Inclusion, Bob Ballantyne, for its accessible and inclusive facilities.
view full
Athletes high five at a ASAA Unifed Sport event
Meet the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association: Champions of Inclusion – and Unified Sports
Five years ago, Special Olympics Unified Sports – a program that brings together people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team – didn’t exist in Alberta high schools. Today, almost 20 per cent of the province’s schools boast successful programs...
view full
Roshan and two other men pose for a photo in a frame
This 22-year-old Special Olympics BC volunteer is a long-time Champion of Inclusion
When Roshan Gosal signed up to volunteer for Special Olympics BC in grade 10, he was just hoping to fulfill his required community service hours for high school. After coaching one soccer practice, he was “hooked.”
view full
x
Saskatoon’s Brenda Baker Chooses To Include with integrated youth choir Kids of Note
Saskatoon’s Brenda Baker, an award-winning singer and former children’s entertainer, wanted to pass on her love of music to her daughter Tori, who had Down syndrome. When she couldn’t find a local choir that accommodates the needs of children with an intellectual disability, she decided to start her own.
view full
x
Meet the boss who Chooses To Include this Special Olympics Ontario athlete – and her busy training schedule
Balancing a work schedule, Special Olympics practices and competitions can be tough for Peterborough’s Crystal Cochrane, but her boss at Wendy’s in Peterborough always makes it work.
view full
x
From hiring Special Olympics athletes to supporting programs and events, Tim Hortons is a true Champion of Inclusion
There are countless Tim Hortons restaurants across Canada that include Special Olympics athletes and Canadians with an intellectual disability as part of their team. A National Partner of Special Olympics Canada since 2015, Tim Hortons is a true Champion of Inclusion.
view full
x
From using a walker to running: How a community program helps this five-year-old reach her full potential
Every Thursday morning five-year-old Alma Loken jumps out of bed filled with excitement. “I’m awake! It’s Special Olympics day!” she exclaims. Since...
view full
Jackie Barrett performs a squat at World Games
Record-breaking Powerlifter Jackie Barrett first-ever Special Olympics athlete inducted in Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
The now retired Corner Brook athlete, also known as “the Newfoundland Moose,” has broken not only Special Olympics records throughout his 28-year career, but also those of his able-bodied counterparts.
view full
Brita holds ribbon won through Special Olympics.
After debilitating car crash, this Special Olympics athlete defies odds and becomes gold medalist
At just nine-weeks-old, Manitoba’s Brita Hall was in a car crash that resulted in the loss of the cognitive function of her brain. Doctors said she...
view full
The Demeulenaere pose for a photo.
This Prince Edward Island Family is paving the way for a more inclusive Canada
In 2012, Prince Edward Island ’s Tracey and Mike Demeulenaere were heartbroken to learn their unborn daughter, Kelsey, would have Down syndrome...
view full