Stories

Sharing the joy of sport

Special Olympics has received many incredible stories from people whose lives have been changed and enriched through sport, friendship, fun and mentorship. Some of those people have been kind enough to share their stories with you.

Visit our photo and video galleries featuring our athletes, coaches, and volunteers.

Maurice Bernier stands with his bowling team for a photo in front of the lanes.

Age is just a number: Meet the 74-year-old Special Olympics BC bowler gearing up for National Games

At 74-years-old, the five-pin bowler from Port Alberni will be the oldest athlete competing at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020. At 74-years-old, the five-pin bowler from Port Alberni will be the oldest, most mature athlete competing at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020

Wyatt poses for a photo on the ski hill in an orange snow suit.

This 13-year-old Alberta alpine skier will be the youngest competitor at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games

At just 13-years-old, Special Olympics Alberta’s Wyatt Oostendorp is the youngest athlete out of more than 800 competitors gearing up for the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020 in February. The alpine skier is also new to the sport – it’s only his second year on the slopes.

SO Team Canada 2019 golf coach Glenn Cundari hugs one of his athletes.

Special Olympics Team Canada 2019 coaches receive Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Awards

More than two dozen Special Olympics coaches from across Canada will receive Coaching Excellence Awards at the 2019 Petro-Canada Sport Leadership...

Melanie stands on the first place podium at Canada Games

Meet Melanie Taylor: Special Olympics Newfoundland athlete performing at Rock The Rink in St. John’s

This is a dream come true to be able to meet and skate with all of the people I watch on TV and inspire me to work hard and have fun skating.

Molly performs on the ice

Meet Molly Kane: Special Olympics New Brunswick athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Moncton

When my mom told me, I was so happy! I am so touched and honoured to have been chosen to skate with Olympic athletes!

Stephanie Lachance on the ice

Meet Stéphanie Lachance: Special Olympics Quebec athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Quebec City

Thank you Tessa and Scott for inviting me and thinking of us, the Special Olympics, and for allowing us to participate in this show alongside great skaters.

Emile on the ice

Meet Émile Baz: Special Olympics Quebec athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Laval

I practice every single day during the summer for four hours daily. I love solos and I love to perform at shows, I feel happy and proud.

"Alicia Smith smiles looking into the camera."

Meet Alicia Smith: Special Olympics Ontario athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Peterborough, Ont.

I am working on a new routine for Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Thunder Bay in February. I skate three days per week and take ballet lessons. I went and trained at Mariposa in Barrie over the summer.

Grace Morris skates on the ice

Meet Grace Morris: Special Olympics Ontario athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Oshawa, Ont.

I'm practicing as much and as hard as I can until the show. I’m going to be keeping Sonny our skate sharpener in business!

Danielle Waters performs on the ice

Meet Danielle Waters: Special Olympics Ontario athlete performing at Rock The Rink in St. Catharines

I skate to “Up Where You Are” by Josh Groban as a tribute to my dad who died six years ago.

Maurice Bernier stands with his bowling team for a photo in front of the lanes.

Age is just a number: Meet the 74-year-old Special Olympics BC bowler gearing up for National Games

At 74-years-old, the five-pin bowler from Port Alberni will be the oldest athlete competing at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020. At 74-years-old, the five-pin bowler from Port Alberni will be the oldest, most mature athlete competing at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020

Wyatt poses for a photo on the ski hill in an orange snow suit.

This 13-year-old Alberta alpine skier will be the youngest competitor at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games

At just 13-years-old, Special Olympics Alberta’s Wyatt Oostendorp is the youngest athlete out of more than 800 competitors gearing up for the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020 in February. The alpine skier is also new to the sport – it’s only his second year on the slopes.

SO Team Canada 2019 golf coach Glenn Cundari hugs one of his athletes.

Special Olympics Team Canada 2019 coaches receive Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Awards

More than two dozen Special Olympics coaches from across Canada will receive Coaching Excellence Awards at the 2019 Petro-Canada Sport Leadership...

Melanie stands on the first place podium at Canada Games

Meet Melanie Taylor: Special Olympics Newfoundland athlete performing at Rock The Rink in St. John’s

This is a dream come true to be able to meet and skate with all of the people I watch on TV and inspire me to work hard and have fun skating.

Molly performs on the ice

Meet Molly Kane: Special Olympics New Brunswick athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Moncton

When my mom told me, I was so happy! I am so touched and honoured to have been chosen to skate with Olympic athletes!

Stephanie Lachance on the ice

Meet Stéphanie Lachance: Special Olympics Quebec athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Quebec City

Thank you Tessa and Scott for inviting me and thinking of us, the Special Olympics, and for allowing us to participate in this show alongside great skaters.

Emile on the ice

Meet Émile Baz: Special Olympics Quebec athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Laval

I practice every single day during the summer for four hours daily. I love solos and I love to perform at shows, I feel happy and proud.

"Alicia Smith smiles looking into the camera."

Meet Alicia Smith: Special Olympics Ontario athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Peterborough, Ont.

I am working on a new routine for Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Thunder Bay in February. I skate three days per week and take ballet lessons. I went and trained at Mariposa in Barrie over the summer.

Grace Morris skates on the ice

Meet Grace Morris: Special Olympics Ontario athlete performing at Rock The Rink in Oshawa, Ont.

I'm practicing as much and as hard as I can until the show. I’m going to be keeping Sonny our skate sharpener in business!

Danielle Waters performs on the ice

Meet Danielle Waters: Special Olympics Ontario athlete performing at Rock The Rink in St. Catharines

I skate to “Up Where You Are” by Josh Groban as a tribute to my dad who died six years ago.