Announcing the Special Olympics Team BC 2026 Training Squad!
We’re delighted to share the accomplished members named to the Special Olympics Team BC 2026 Training Squad! This provincial team is comprised of more than 205 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, 73 volunteer coaches, and 18 mission staff, from more than 42 communities across British Columbia. They qualified through their performances at the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George.
Congratulations to all these dedicated individuals who will work toward competing with pride at the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat, Alberta, from August 11 to 15, 2026!
“The athletes selected for the #SOTeamBC2026 Training Squad have shown incredible determination, and I know they’ll bring that same drive as they prepare for the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games. I can’t wait to cheer them on as they push for personal bests in Medicine Hat.”
-Michelle Cruickshank, Chef de Mission for Special Olympics Team BC 2026
More sport & program opportunities
- Year-round program registration
- Special Olympics BC events calendar
- Community programs
- Athlete Leadership opportunities
- Health programs
- Youth programs & school sports
Olympic champion Penny Oleksiak headlines Sports Celebrities Festival supporting Special Olympics BC
Special Olympics BC is excited to welcome Olympic swimming champion Penny Oleksiak as the keynote speaker at the 2025 Sports Celebrities Festival presented by Wheaton Precious Metals! The inspiring gala has raised vital funds for Special Olympics BC athletes and programs for 27 years.
Penny is Canada’s most decorated female Olympian since capturing four medals at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where she became the youngest Canadian to win Olympic gold, and earning three more medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. After overcoming an injury, Penny is now feeling better than ever as she trains toward the LA 2028 Olympics. Penny has been a valued member of the Special Olympics Canada Champions Network for a number of years, helping advance the movement and mission.
The Sports Celebrities Festival is known for its powerful demonstration of inclusion and respect for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The 2025 gala will bring together champions of inclusion from across the B.C. sport and business world with Special Olympics athletes on October 23.
More fundraising & awareness opportunities
- Don’t miss out on the chance to win big and strengthen inclusion for athletes with intellectual disabilities with the purchase of Split the Pot Lottery tickets in support of Special Olympics BC! Thank you for spreading the word about this opportunity with your network.
Health Highlight
Are you looking for ways to exercise, focus on healthier eating, or motivate yourself to stay hydrated at home?
Check out the Special Olympics Fit 5 guide, a toolkit created with athletes, for athletes! Inside, you will find fitness cards, videos, nutrition tips ,and more for athletes of all abilities. The guide is based on the three simple goals:
🏃♂️ Exercising five days per week
🍎 Eating five total fruits and vegetables per day
💧Drinking five water bottles of water per day
The guide makes being healthy simple and fun, and can improve your health and fitness to make you the best athlete you can be!
More health opportunities
- Access athlete health resources
- Learn more about Special Olympics BC Inclusive Health
- Get involved with Club Fit in your community
Story Spotlight
In National Coaches Week and all year round, we sincerely thank all of the dedicated Special Olympics BC coaches who contribute countless hours of their time and talents to empower athletes with intellectual disabilities and build inclusion and opportunities all across our province!
Sheri Lucas, SOBC – Victoria coach and BC Law Enforcement Torch Run champion, has supported Special Olympics BC for more than 26 years. After retiring from policing, Sheri jumped into coaching swimming, bocce, and Club Fit, and brought her family with her! Her daughter Ryleigh now volunteers with swimming, and her husband Paul Lamoureux, also a retired law enforcement member, volunteers with Club Fit.
“Throughout my interactions with Special Olympics athletes, I have learned about team spirit, determination, positive attitudes, friendship, and how all of these things can help overcome anything, both on and off a playing field.”
-Sheri Lucas, SOBC – Victoria coach and BC LETR champion
Heartfelt thanks to all of Special Olympics BC’s valued coaches for your life-changing impact! Check out our website and social media accounts for more stories about the inspiring coaches who make Special Olympics BC possible.
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