Too many Special Olympics athletes knew the pain of isolation and exclusion long before the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadians with intellectual disabilities are still too often left out – on playgrounds, from the workforce, from conversations. Together, we have the power to change the future for all.
The Special Olympics Global Week of Inclusion celebrated the difference we can make when we #ChooseToInclude, and invited everyone to join the joyful Special Olympics community. Get involved today and make a difference!
Volunteer and participate in our year-round programs
Donate to empower athletes with intellectual disabilities
Watch the 2022 SOBC Awards Ceremony held on July 20
Spread the word on social media
& Celebrate Champions of Inclusion!
Champions of Inclusion
The Global Week of Inclusion focused on #CelebratingChampions of inclusion because together we can build a better and more inclusive world!
Kalyn Head, SOBC coach in Abbotsford and Chilliwack
Kalyn trained for months to run 100 kilometres on her 25th birthday, July 23, in order to raise funds for Special Olympics BC! Kalyn has been a Special Olympics coach for almost seven years, and says “it holds a very large part of my heart.” She has helped coach SOBC – Chilliwack’s basketball, floor hockey, swimming, soccer, and softball teams, and SOBC – Abbotsford’s track and field and Club Fit programs. She also ran SOBC – Abbotsford’s Virtual Fit Families & Friends program to create opportunities during the pandemic.
-Kalyn Head, SOBC coach
Learn more and donate to Kalyn’s Birthday Marathon for SOBC
Meet more BC champions of inclusion
Communities taking a stand for Special Olympics
We sincerely thank the communities around the province who lit up landmarks and made proclamations to honour the Special Olympics Global Week of Inclusion!
Landmarks lit up for Special Olympics
| Location | Date | Building |
| Victoria | 18-Jul-22 | B.C. Parliament Buildings |
| Mackenzie | 20-Jul-22 | Mackenzie Recreation Centre |
| North Vancouver | 20-Jul-22 | North Vancouver City Hall |
| Vancouver | 20-Jul-22 | Telus Garden |
| Vancouver | 20-Jul-22 | BC Place |
| Vancouver | 20-Jul-22 | Canada Place Sails of Light |
| Vancouver | 20-Jul-22 | City Hall & Burrard St. Bridge |
| Vancouver | 20-Jul-22 | Science World |
| Vancouver | 20-Jul-22 | Vancouver Convention Centre |
| Vancouver | 20-Jul-22 | Vancouver Lookout Tower |
| Vancouver | 20-Jul-22 | Rogers Arena |
| Coquitlam | 20-Jul-22 | Lafarge Lake |
| Coquitlam | 20-Jul-22 | Guilford Way Column |
| Kelowna | 20-Jul-22 | Sails Fountain |
| Delta | 20-Jul-22 | Delta Municipal Hall |
| Port Coquitlam | 20-Jul-22 | Port Coquitlam City Hall |
| Prince George | 24-Jul-22 | Mr. PG |
Proclamations for the Special Olympics Global Week of Inclusion
- Campbell River
- Creston
- Kelowna
- Mission
- Nanaimo
- North Vancouver
- Port Alberni
- Richmond
- Surrey
- Trail
- Vancouver
- Victoria
- Williams Lake
Be a Champion of Inclusion
Get involved with Special Olympics
Nominate a Champion of Inclusion
Share your #ChooseToInclude spirit
Champions of inclusion can show their support anytime! You can make your own “I #ChooseToInclude” sign – feel free to get creative! Or you can use one of ours:
Learn More
Check out Special Olympics BC’s social media channels for stories and actions to share with everyone who wants to help change the world!
Read insights from SOBC Athlete Reporters
Read about 2021 Champions of Inclusion
Read about 2020 Champions of Inclusion
Read more about the 2020 Special Olympics Week of Inclusion in B.C.
Please click here for Special Olympics International stories of inclusion.
If you have any questions or would like more resources to help change the game for inclusion, please contact SOBC Communications Manager Megan Pollock by email or by phone at 604-737-3077.
