Special Olympics Global Week of Inclusion

From July 18 to 24, 2022, champions all over the province came together calling for a more inclusive world!
Special Olympics athletes Genny, Ashley, and Jake holding #ChooseToInclude signs

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. 

“Special Olympics athletes have taught me so much about following your dreams and working hard to reach your goals. They are some of the most thoughtful, encouraging and optimistic individuals I have ever met, which is why I want to help them! I have seen firsthand the opportunities that Special Olympics gives to individuals with intellectual disabilities to be included in sport and the community.”

-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 

Pledge to include 

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.

 

Special Olympics athletes #ChooseToInclude
Special Olympics athletes Matthew, Vincent, Nick, and Nathan #ChooseToInclude!