Stories | Special Olympics Canada

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.

Join Special Olympics across Canada as we celebrate National Coaches Week

Please join us for National Coaches Week as we say thank you by sharing stories from some of these amazing coaches. To kick it off: A heartfelt message from Special Olympics athletes! #ThanksCoach

Special Olympics Swift Current coach Kent Yuzik has learned dance moves – and so much more from his team

Kent started volunteering for Special Olympics Swift Current in 2015 as an assistant coach for floor hockey. He then became co-head coach for both floor hockey and softball. He’s also been a member of his Special Olympics Community Board since 2016.

Special Olympics athlete Tess Trojan swings a golf club

Meet Champions of Inclusion: Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada

National Sport Organization Golf Canada along with the Professional Golfers’ Association of Canada are true Champions of Inclusion, creating countless opportunities for Special Olympics athletes and coaches across the country.

A group of people pose for a photo at a work party.

Special Olympics athlete finally finds acceptance and inclusion at Spirit of Newfoundland Productions

When Special Olympics Newfoundland & Labrador athlete Leah McDonald saw the call for Champions of Inclusion nominations, she immediately thought of her boss at Spirit of Newfoundland Productions.

Kyla and a Special Olympics athlete hug at an event

From teaching special education to volunteering for motionball, Manitoba’s Kyla Anderson is known for always Choosing To Include

Manitoba’s Kyla Anderson, a special education teacher and motionball Winnipeg committee member, is a true role model when it comes to creating inclusive communities.

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.

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...

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.”

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.

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.

Join Special Olympics across Canada as we celebrate National Coaches Week

Please join us for National Coaches Week as we say thank you by sharing stories from some of these amazing coaches. To kick it off: A heartfelt message from Special Olympics athletes! #ThanksCoach

Special Olympics Swift Current coach Kent Yuzik has learned dance moves – and so much more from his team

Kent started volunteering for Special Olympics Swift Current in 2015 as an assistant coach for floor hockey. He then became co-head coach for both floor hockey and softball. He’s also been a member of his Special Olympics Community Board since 2016.

Special Olympics athlete Tess Trojan swings a golf club

Meet Champions of Inclusion: Golf Canada and the PGA of Canada

National Sport Organization Golf Canada along with the Professional Golfers’ Association of Canada are true Champions of Inclusion, creating countless opportunities for Special Olympics athletes and coaches across the country.

A group of people pose for a photo at a work party.

Special Olympics athlete finally finds acceptance and inclusion at Spirit of Newfoundland Productions

When Special Olympics Newfoundland & Labrador athlete Leah McDonald saw the call for Champions of Inclusion nominations, she immediately thought of her boss at Spirit of Newfoundland Productions.

Kyla and a Special Olympics athlete hug at an event

From teaching special education to volunteering for motionball, Manitoba’s Kyla Anderson is known for always Choosing To Include

Manitoba’s Kyla Anderson, a special education teacher and motionball Winnipeg committee member, is a true role model when it comes to creating inclusive communities.

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.

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...

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.”

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.

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.