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.

Christine Hoffman's before and after weight loss pictures side by side.

Road to National Games leads to 100-pound transformation for this Special Olympics Manitoba bowler

Two years ago, Special Olympics Manitoba five-pin bowler Christine Hoffman weighed nearly 400-pounds and struggled with high cholesterol at just 26-years-old. When she qualified for the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Bowling Championships in Prince Edward Island, she and her coach decided to make some much-needed lifestyle changes.

Logan Wilson poses for a photo with his arms around Special Olympics athletes.

Special Olympics is “the secret to happiness” for New Brunswick teen volunteer

Logan Wilson is a 17-year-old Miramichi, New Brunswick high school student with a passion for Special Olympics. When the Special Olympics New...

Ezekiel in action on the ice

How the ice helped this Special Olympics Team Ontario speed skater find his voice

Richmond Hill’s Ezekiel Liu has grown up looking at a photo of his four-year-old self in a Team Canada costume, holding a toy medal from the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. While the photo has sat framed in the family’s living room for the past 10 years, they never expected Ezekiel, who has autism, to become a competitive athlete and hold a real medal – until they discovered Special Olympics speed skating.

Maurice Bernier stands with his bowling team for a photo in front of the lanes.

Age is just a number: Meet the 74-year-old Special Olympics BC bowler gearing up for National Games

At 74-years-old, the five-pin bowler from Port Alberni will be the oldest athlete competing at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020. At 74-years-old, the five-pin bowler from Port Alberni will be the oldest, most mature athlete competing at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020

Wyatt poses for a photo on the ski hill in an orange snow suit.

This 13-year-old Alberta alpine skier will be the youngest competitor at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games

At just 13-years-old, Special Olympics Alberta’s Wyatt Oostendorp is the youngest athlete out of more than 800 competitors gearing up for the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020 in February. The alpine skier is also new to the sport – it’s only his second year on the slopes.

SO Team Canada 2019 golf coach Glenn Cundari hugs one of his athletes.

Special Olympics Team Canada 2019 coaches receive Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Awards

More than two dozen Special Olympics coaches from across Canada will receive Coaching Excellence Awards at the 2019 Petro-Canada Sport Leadership...

Melanie stands on the first place podium at Canada Games

Meet Melanie Taylor: Special Olympics Newfoundland athlete performing at Rock The Rink in St. John’s

This is a dream come true to be able to meet and skate with all of the people I watch on TV and inspire me to work hard and have fun skating.

Molly performs on the ice

Meet Molly Kane: Special Olympics New Brunswick athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Moncton

When my mom told me, I was so happy! I am so touched and honoured to have been chosen to skate with Olympic athletes!

Stephanie Lachance on the ice

Meet Stéphanie Lachance: Special Olympics Quebec athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Quebec City

Thank you Tessa and Scott for inviting me and thinking of us, the Special Olympics, and for allowing us to participate in this show alongside great skaters.

Emile on the ice

Meet Émile Baz: Special Olympics Quebec athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Laval

I practice every single day during the summer for four hours daily. I love solos and I love to perform at shows, I feel happy and proud.

Christine Hoffman's before and after weight loss pictures side by side.

Road to National Games leads to 100-pound transformation for this Special Olympics Manitoba bowler

Two years ago, Special Olympics Manitoba five-pin bowler Christine Hoffman weighed nearly 400-pounds and struggled with high cholesterol at just 26-years-old. When she qualified for the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Bowling Championships in Prince Edward Island, she and her coach decided to make some much-needed lifestyle changes.

Logan Wilson poses for a photo with his arms around Special Olympics athletes.

Special Olympics is “the secret to happiness” for New Brunswick teen volunteer

Logan Wilson is a 17-year-old Miramichi, New Brunswick high school student with a passion for Special Olympics. When the Special Olympics New...

Ezekiel in action on the ice

How the ice helped this Special Olympics Team Ontario speed skater find his voice

Richmond Hill’s Ezekiel Liu has grown up looking at a photo of his four-year-old self in a Team Canada costume, holding a toy medal from the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. While the photo has sat framed in the family’s living room for the past 10 years, they never expected Ezekiel, who has autism, to become a competitive athlete and hold a real medal – until they discovered Special Olympics speed skating.

Maurice Bernier stands with his bowling team for a photo in front of the lanes.

Age is just a number: Meet the 74-year-old Special Olympics BC bowler gearing up for National Games

At 74-years-old, the five-pin bowler from Port Alberni will be the oldest athlete competing at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020. At 74-years-old, the five-pin bowler from Port Alberni will be the oldest, most mature athlete competing at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020

Wyatt poses for a photo on the ski hill in an orange snow suit.

This 13-year-old Alberta alpine skier will be the youngest competitor at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games

At just 13-years-old, Special Olympics Alberta’s Wyatt Oostendorp is the youngest athlete out of more than 800 competitors gearing up for the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020 in February. The alpine skier is also new to the sport – it’s only his second year on the slopes.

SO Team Canada 2019 golf coach Glenn Cundari hugs one of his athletes.

Special Olympics Team Canada 2019 coaches receive Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Awards

More than two dozen Special Olympics coaches from across Canada will receive Coaching Excellence Awards at the 2019 Petro-Canada Sport Leadership...

Melanie stands on the first place podium at Canada Games

Meet Melanie Taylor: Special Olympics Newfoundland athlete performing at Rock The Rink in St. John’s

This is a dream come true to be able to meet and skate with all of the people I watch on TV and inspire me to work hard and have fun skating.

Molly performs on the ice

Meet Molly Kane: Special Olympics New Brunswick athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Moncton

When my mom told me, I was so happy! I am so touched and honoured to have been chosen to skate with Olympic athletes!

Stephanie Lachance on the ice

Meet Stéphanie Lachance: Special Olympics Quebec athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Quebec City

Thank you Tessa and Scott for inviting me and thinking of us, the Special Olympics, and for allowing us to participate in this show alongside great skaters.

Emile on the ice

Meet Émile Baz: Special Olympics Quebec athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Laval

I practice every single day during the summer for four hours daily. I love solos and I love to perform at shows, I feel happy and proud.