London, On – May 21, 2026— From May 26 to May 28, more than 1,000 high school-aged athletes with and without intellectual disabilities from across the province will gather at Western University for the 2026 Special Olympics Ontario School Championships, hosted by the London Police Service.
Athletes earned their place at the championships through regional qualifying events and will compete in athletics, basketball, bocce, floorball, and soccer over three days of competition, leadership, and inclusion.
This year’s championships will also highlight significant storylines that reflect the continued growth of inclusive sport and the impact of Special Olympics programming in schools and communities across Ontario.
H.B. Beal Secondary School Leading Through Inclusion
H.B. Beal Secondary School and the Thames Valley District School Board will play a significant role throughout the championships as leaders within the Unified Champion Schools movement.
For years, H.B. Beal Secondary School has been actively involved in Special Olympics Ontario school programming and inclusive sport opportunities. During these championships, the school will have multiple teams competing while also providing student volunteers to support basketball competitions throughout the Games.
The involvement of H.B. Beal reflects the growing impact of Unified Champion Schools across Ontario, bringing students with and without intellectual disabilities together through sport, leadership, and school engagement.
Young Champions Day Brings Elementary Students Into the Movement
For the first time ever at School Championships, high school youth leaders with and without intellectual disabilities will lead a dedicated Young Champions Day for elementary school-aged participants.
Young Champions programming introduces younger students to inclusive sport, teamwork, and leadership opportunities while creating pathways into Special Olympics and Unified programming at an early age.
Special Olympics Ontario is also proud to welcome participation from seven schools within the London District Catholic School Board:
- St. Mark
- St. Anne's Catholic School, St. Thomas
- St. Bernadette School
- St Patrick Lucan
- St. Catherine of Siena
- St. Kateri
- Blessed Sacrament
The initiative represents another important step in expanding inclusive school communities and empowering youth leaders to create meaningful change through sport.
Honouring the Legacy of Dr. Frank Hayden
The 2026 School Championships will pay tribute to the late Dr. Frank Hayden, whose ground breaking work at Western University helped shape the global Special Olympics movement.
Dr. Hayden’s research and advocacy challenged long-standing misconceptions surrounding individuals with intellectual disabilities and demonstrated the importance of sport, inclusion, and opportunity. His work ultimately led to the founding and growth of Special Olympics programs around the world, changing millions of lives through sport.
Hosting the championships at Western University serves as a powerful reminder of the institution’s lasting connection to inclusion and the legacy Dr. Hayden created. One that continues to inspire schools, athletes, coaches, and communities today.
OPENING CEREMONIES
The public and media are invited to attend the Opening Ceremonies on Tuesday, May 26 at Thompson Arena at Western University. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with the ceremony beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Ceremonies will be streamed live on youtube https://soontar.io/live-stream
For more information, visit: https://schoolchamps.ca/