For our meeting on January 31st 2024, we were joined by Angela, a Special Olympic Mom and Coach, and her son Logan, Logan has successfully qualified to compete on the upcoming Provincal Championships. They provided some great insight into what it is like to compete and the unique sense of community and spirit that are shared by all those that participate in the Special Olympics.
For over 50 years, Special Olympics has grown from a modest program serving local athletes to become the world's largest movement dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion, and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities through sport.
The Mission of Special Olympics Ontario is dedicated to enriching the lives of Ontarians with an intellectual disability through sport, while the vision is that sport will open hearts and minds towards people with intellectual disabilities and create inclusive communities all across Ontario.
Included in their value statement are, Empowerment, Excellence, Respect, Diversity and Inclusion.
Special Olympics Ontario is divided into 7 administrative districts The Eastern Ontario District is broken down into 11 communities. Belleville & Quinte West is one of the 11 communities that falls within Eastern Ontario’s District.
The name can be misleading because they don’t only support athletes in Belleville and Quinte West, the athletes come from as far North as Centre Hastings, East as Read, as far South as Prince Edward County, and as far West as Brighton.
Special Olympics is supported by local dedicated volunteers who act as coaches, assistant coaches and community council members and the generous support received from local community groups that help us in the Special Olympic mission.
Sports that are currently offered to the Athletes include:
Basketball, Bocce, Bowling (5 & 10 pin), Golf, Power Lifting, Speed Skating, Swimming, and Track & Field
Also Available:
FUNdamentals for youth program for our younger athletes (age 7-12) to teach our young athletes physical literacy using fitness and fun through movement to prepare them for future sports.
Athlete Leadership Program - this program equips athletes with the tools to undertake positions of leadership within their community and the broader Special Olympics movement.
Upcoming events:
- The 2024 Special Olympics National Winter Games will be held in Calgary, Alberta
- The games will take place Feb 27-March 2, 2024
- Of the 25 Athletes that have qualified from Eastern Ontario’s 11 districts, we are proud to say that three of them are from Belleville & Quinte West, this is a HUGE accomplishment for them!
- These incredible Athletes will be representing our community showing their skill and hard work on Team Ontario at the upcoming Winter Games
- The 2024 Provincial Spring Games will be hosted by the Waterloo Regional Police Service
- The games will take place from May 23 - 26th, 2024.
- These games are the pinnacle of competition for Special Olympic Athletes and a celebration of their incredible abilities.
- Athletes will be looking to earn a spot-on Team Ontario to compete at the 2026 National Summer Games set to be hosted in Medicine Hat, AB.
There are a number if ways to support Special Olympics including as a Coach, as an Assistant Coach, on the Council or at a Major Competitions and Sporting Events. If you are interested in being a part of a pool of casual volunteers that they pull on for special events, reach out to the Volunteer Coordinator to learn more at bqw.volunteers@specialolympicsontario.ca and address your inquiry to Kelsey,
er