On Thursday, October 6th, two Canadian sport icons and Special Olympics Champions Network members, legendary sportscaster Brian Williams and Olympic sprint canoe-kayaker turned politician Adam Van Koeverden, have been awarded the Order of Sport, and will be inducted into the exclusive Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in the Class of 2022.   

Honoured with the Order of Canada in 2011, Brian Williams had a distinguished 50-year broadcasting career, before retiring in 2021. The Winnipeg native’s most notable career accomplishments include covering 14 Olympic Games with CBC and was the recipient of eight Gemini Awards, two Foster Hewitt Awards and one Canadian Screen Award.  Special Olympics has had the privilege of Brian’s partnership and support for over 30 years as a Champions Network member since 2014. Throughout the year’s Brian has been a friend and role model to many Special Olympics athletes – and continues to do so today.   

Currently acting as Milton, Ontario’s Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and to the Minister of Sport for the Liberal Party of Canada, Adam Van Koeverden also had an illustrious career as one of Canada’s most prolific Olympic athletes. A three-time Olympian, Adam medaled in all three Olympic Games he participated in, winning gold and a bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Games, a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Games, and a silver medal at the 2012 London Games. He is also a multiple medalist at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships. Adam has been a dedicated supporter and Champions Network Member of Special Olympics since 2014.  Whether attending galas or Games to cheer on athletes, using his influence to advocate for Canadians with an intellectual disability or indulging in the charitable treat of a Tim Horton’s Special Olympics Donut, Adam is a committed supporter of all Special Olympics activity in Canada. 

Special Olympics Canada staff, board members, athletes, coaches, and volunteers, congratulate our two dedicated Champions for this very deserving honour. Please join us in celebrating Brian Williams and Adam Van Koeverden for their induction into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame!