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.

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...
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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"Alicia Smith smiles looking into the camera."
Meet Alicia Smith: Special Olympics Ontario athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Peterborough, Ont.
I am working on a new routine for Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Thunder Bay in February. I skate three days per week and take ballet lessons. I went and trained at Mariposa in Barrie over the summer.
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Grace Morris skates on the ice
Meet Grace Morris: Special Olympics Ontario athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Oshawa, Ont.
I'm practicing as much and as hard as I can until the show. I’m going to be keeping Sonny our skate sharpener in business!
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Danielle Waters performs on the ice
Meet Danielle Waters: Special Olympics Ontario athlete performing at Rock The Rink in St. Catharines
I skate to “Up Where You Are” by Josh Groban as a tribute to my dad who died six years ago.
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David and Nicole sit side by side looking into the camera.
Meet David Robertson & Nicole Vespa: Special Olympics Ontario athletes performing at Rock The Rink in Mississauga
I am very happy and honoured to skate with these great Olympic champions. I have met Scott and Tessa at Skate Canada before and also thought it would be great to be on the ice with them. Awesome!
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Sarah Thomas on the ice
Meet Sarah Thomas: Special Olympics Ontario athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Kingston
I was in the car when mom told me I got picked and mom says that her right ear is still ringing from me squealing so loud.
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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...
view full
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.
view full
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!
view full
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.
view full
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.
view full
"Alicia Smith smiles looking into the camera."
Meet Alicia Smith: Special Olympics Ontario athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Peterborough, Ont.
I am working on a new routine for Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Thunder Bay in February. I skate three days per week and take ballet lessons. I went and trained at Mariposa in Barrie over the summer.
view full
Grace Morris skates on the ice
Meet Grace Morris: Special Olympics Ontario athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Oshawa, Ont.
I'm practicing as much and as hard as I can until the show. I’m going to be keeping Sonny our skate sharpener in business!
view full
Danielle Waters performs on the ice
Meet Danielle Waters: Special Olympics Ontario athlete performing at Rock The Rink in St. Catharines
I skate to “Up Where You Are” by Josh Groban as a tribute to my dad who died six years ago.
view full
David and Nicole sit side by side looking into the camera.
Meet David Robertson & Nicole Vespa: Special Olympics Ontario athletes performing at Rock The Rink in Mississauga
I am very happy and honoured to skate with these great Olympic champions. I have met Scott and Tessa at Skate Canada before and also thought it would be great to be on the ice with them. Awesome!
view full
Sarah Thomas on the ice
Meet Sarah Thomas: Special Olympics Ontario athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Kingston
I was in the car when mom told me I got picked and mom says that her right ear is still ringing from me squealing so loud.
view full