Special Olympics Canada & Special Olympics Canada Foundation: King Charles III Coronation Medal Honourees
The King Charles III Coronation Medal celebrates Canadians who have made outstanding contributions to their communities—and this year, several remarkable individuals from the Special Olympics Canada community were among those honoured.
From program builders and longtime volunteers to passionate advocates and athlete leaders, each recipient has helped grow the movement across the province and championed the values of inclusion, empowerment, and civic service.
Below, we invite you to learn more about the Special Olympics Canada recipients and their incredible contributions to building a more inclusive Canada.
Brian Etherington
While extremely accomplished in his own right, it would be impressive enough to say that Ontario fundraiser Brian Etherington is the father of Paul, Sean, and Mark Etherington, who all founded the Motionball organization in order to raise money for Special Olympics Canada.
It all started in the early 1980s, when Brian and his friend David Garard were inspired to start their own fundraiser for Special Olympics. Their first event—the Sports Celebrity Festival in 1983—raised $4,300 total. As of Today, Motionball and the LIMITLESS Gala have raised over $20 million dollars since 2002!
Paul, Mark and Sean Etherington
It is difficult to say where exactly the Special Olympics Canada movement would be without the Toronto-based Etherington family, and all they have done for our athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Paul, Mark, and Sean Etherington—alongside their father Brian—all cofounded the Motionball non-profit which raises for Special Olympics Canada (SOC). Since Motionball’s founding in 2002, it has given SOC over $20 million dollars.
According to their family's website, Mark and Paul both volunteer in Motionball, as the organization’s President and as a Chairman respectively. Both of their careers focus on providing financial advice to corporate clients. Sean Etherington also works in finance, as President of CI Assante Wealth Management.
Jim Jordan
Jim Jordan (1939, Aug 3 – 2024, Aug 13) was integral to growing the Special Olympics movement in Canada, whose impact is still felt after he has sadly passed away. Working as the CEO of Special Olympics Canada from 1990 to 2005, Jim guided our organization towards becoming the inclusive, nurturing, and adaptable non-profit which continues to enrich lives all across the country.
Sharon Bollenbach
Sharon Bollenbach is a retired CEO of Special Olympics Canada, having served as our Chief Executive Officer from 2013 to 2023. During the 16 years she worked in our office, Sharon made herself known as a champion of progress and inclusion. To this day, Sharon is still active in sport manager, being the City of Toronto’s Executive Director for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Susan Wang
Susan Wang is an Athlete Leader from British Columbia who represents the Special Olympics Movement on a global scale. Participating in floor hockey, alpine skiing, swimming, and athletics, she is one of only ten Sargent Shriver Global Messengers in the entire world, selected by Special Olympics International.
Susan has a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, and works full time at a childcare centre specializing in students under the age of 5 years old.
