Team Ontario heads into the final day of competition sitting at 123 gold, 81 silver, and 91 bronze — 295 medals and counting on the official GEMS chapter standings. But Friday wasn’t just about the count. It was a day of full podium sweeps at the pool and the track, one of the tightest basketball games of the week, and …
Team Ontario Daily Recap: Wednesday, August 12
The cauldron is lit and competition is officially underway in Medicine Hat. Softball got an early start on Tuesday with plenty of action on the diamond, and today the Games shifted into high gear — seven sports in action, rain or shine, and the first medals of the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games up for grabs. And Team Ontario …
Team Ontario Daily Recap: Tuesday, August 11
The Games Are Officially Open Today was the day it all became real. Team Ontario competed, celebrated, and marched into Opening Ceremony — and by the time the cauldron was lit tonight, there was no doubt: the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games are underway. On the Field: Ontario Comes Out Swinging Softball had the day of the Games so …
Team Ontario Daily Recap: Monday, August 10
Day 1 in Medicine Hat National Games week is officially underway. Team Ontario touched down in Medicine Hat, and from the moment the bus doors opened, the excitement was impossible to miss — bags dropped, uniforms on, and a city about to become home for the week ready to welcome them in. Softball: Ontario Goes 6-0 Team Ontario’s three softball …
Championing Inclusion on the Global Stage: Coaching Team Canada to the Fair Play Award in Paris
Amanda Morra – Coach Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, with over 270 active participants globally. Of those, around 1 million participants are registered in Canada. But of those 1 million, less than 200 are registered with a Canadian National Team program. This past July, I was fortunate enough to be selected as the Head Coach of Team …
More Than a Game: Representing Team Canada on the World Stage in Paris
Lydia Kirupa – Unified partner Some experiences in life stay with you forever, and representing Team Canada at the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup in Paris, France, is one I will never forget. From the lifelong friendships we created and the unforgettable memories we made, to the competition, sightseeing, and cultural experiences, this trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Looking back, …
Toronto FC Unified Exchange Team Takes the Pitch
Twenty athletes from across the Greater Toronto Area are lacing up for one of the most meaningful fixtures on the soccer calendar. Tomorrow, July 22, the 2026 Toronto FC Unified Exchange Team kicks off its season against the New England Revolution’s Unified squad at Gillette Stadium in Boston, with a second match set for BMO Field on August 15. For …
Sobeys and Empire Family of Brands Campaign Raises Record $1.73 Million for Special Olympics
The 2026 Sobeys and Empire Family of Brands fundraising campaign has closed with a record-breaking result, raising $1.73 million nationally for Special Olympics athletes between June 11 and 21. This year’s theme, “Every Best is Personal,” captured what the campaign has always been about: recognizing that every athlete milestone, whether a first goal, a new friendship, or a breakthrough moment …
Meet Team Canada: Our Unified Football World Cup Squad
Team Canada has arrived in Paris for the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup 2026! What is the Unified Football World Cup? The Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup brings together Unified teams, athletes with and without intellectual disabilities playing side by side, from around the globe. Paris 2026 marks the third edition of the tournament, following Chicago (2018) and …
Celebrating the Life of Dr. Frank J. Hayden and Marion Hayden
The Special Olympics community lost a true founding figure on May 16, 2026. Dr. Frank Hayden passed away at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy that has transformed countless lives. We are honouring his memory, and that of his late wife Marion, with a public Celebration of Life, and we warmly invite anyone who was touched by his …