Athlete Reporter Highlight Reel: New year, new goals, new Plunge!
The Special Olympics BC community is starting off 2026 with tons of spirit and passion for the power and joy of sport!
Special Olympics BC Athlete Reporters took time to share their goals for the new year, and help build excitement for upcoming events and the brave people who will get chilly to change lives in the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics BC, presented in partnership with our friends in the BC Law Enforcement Torch Run.
There’s so much to look forward to this winter. Some of the exciting Special Olympics BC events coming soon:
- Tim Hortons Special Olympics Donut returning January 30 to February 1 – a sweet treat to support Special Olympics athletes across Canada!
- 2026 SOBC Winter Regional Qualifier competitions across the province January through April
- The Special Olympics Team BC 2026 Training Squad coming together for training camps in January, and working hard in communities across the province on their road to the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games
- Polar Plunge® for Special Olympics BC February 21 to March 8 – champions of inclusion getting bold and cold to raise vital funds and awareness for Special Olympics athletes across the province
- Runners getting ready to lace up for a cause and fundraise for Special Olympics BC in events like the BMO Vancouver Marathon and the Beneva Vancouver Half Marathon & 5k
- And of course, registration always open for our year-round sport, youth, and health programs for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 55 communities across the province
- Check out our calendar for lots more, including community competitions, coaching courses, and Safe Sport training for athletes and volunteers
Special Olympics BC Athlete Reporters share more on these stories!
Sheenagh Morrison, SOBC – Victoria
Athlete Reporter Sheenagh Morrison has bravely taken the Plunge many times, and is a key fundraising and awareness leader for the event.
She reported on Polar Plunge preparations with two champions at the Victoria and Oak Bay Police Departments who are getting set for this year’s event!
Miranda Orth, SOBC – Nanaimo
This report is about the New Year 2026 as well as the annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge happening February 21 to March 8, which some people like to join whether it's to donate or running in cold water during a cold morning!
The goals I have for 2026 in general are to continue to work as Bookkeeping Assistant and learn more American Sign Language for my interest using some books I have and can easily understand.
My Special Olympics goal in 2026 is to train as if I may qualify for the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat in August 2026. I am looking forward to doing more training for gaining strength, as well as skill for running as an athlete.
I also look forward to maybe having more fundraising events in Nanaimo, as it would be a fun way to create opportunities to meet other athletes and other people like coaches to learn more on how they can participate and register in Special Olympics and how we raise money in different fundraising events like the Polar Plunge!
Everyone should support the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics BC because it's an annual fundraising event and people join for fun to help raise money in February to March even though it’s cold weather. Also, one gets to try jumping in really cold water, if you're up for the challenge!
David Johnston, SOBC – Dawson Creek
Athlete Reporter David Johnston talked about his own goals and caught up with fellow athlete Dara Watson about her vision for 2026. Johnston is striving to improve in curling practices, and his goal for his curling team is to do well in Regional Qualifiers in hopes of moving on to Provincial Games.
Johnston says he values Special Olympics because “we get to travel around to different towns and go away for Regionals and then go to Provincials, Nationals, and World Games in different sports. We get to meet new people and interact and be ourselves with other athletes, and root on other athletes when they compete.”
Watson says she has several health goals, including drinking more water and eating healthy, as well as sport goals of competing in Regional Qualifiers for curling and 5-pin bowling to hopefully advance to Provincial Games.
Like Morrison, Johnston plans to do the Polar Plunge this year! He feels it’s important for athletes to interact with Plungers to help strengthen awareness about Special Olympics and the impact of the funds raised by the Polar Plunge.
“The Polar Plunge is important to raise awareness about Special Olympics and let people know what it’s all about, what sports we offer, and what we need the support for in different areas like travelling and expenses such as equipment and being able to start sports, and to be more inclusive in everyone’s community and be active like everyone else,” Johnston says.
He lives by the Special Olympics Athlete’s Oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Learn more
Athlete Reporter training is one of the opportunities offered within Special Olympics BC Athlete Leadership programs.