For Five years, Natasha Stasiuk from Hamilton has hit the links with Special Olympics. “I really like the Special Olympics,” Natasha said. “I feel more included and not judged. I feel like I belong.” Natasha isn’t shy about her autism and auditory processing condition, however she prefers to think of these as differences instead of disabilities. “It’s like a superpower …
For 35 years, Marlene Mayer has been participating in a wide range of sports with Special Olympics Ontario, garnering praise for her skill in 10-pin bowling and floor hockey in particular. “My best memory is when I was playing goalie in floor hockey and had three shutouts.” In 2022, Marlene’s strong athletic performance allowed her to meet Mayor Nina Bifolchi …
Shawn Horsley, a Special Olympics athlete from Bradford, has been competing in sports such as 5-pin bowling and bocce for over 30 years. Speaking on his behalf, Shawn’s mother Angie said Special Olympics “gives Shawn an outlet to be with others like himself and learn skills.” Shawn is non-verbal, but that doesn’t stop him from enjoying being with people at …
Meet Kristen Domingues from Caledon! Kristen is a multi-talented athlete, participating in swimming, bowling, soccer, basketball, bocce, athletics, and golf. Over the years, Kristen has made countless friends and stayed active through Special Olympics, competing at events like the 2009 Provincial Games in Windsor, the 2014 National Games in Vancouver for athletics, and the 2020 National Games in Thunder Bay …
Meet Carly Bryden from Aurora! Carly is a dedicated athlete, competing in swimming and rhythmic gymnastics, with a background in basketball, soccer, baseball, and bocce. This past spring, Carly participated in the Provincial Spring Games for rhythmic gymnastics, winning a gold, silver, and two bronze medals! She had a blast staying in university dorms with fellow athletes. Carly has also competed …
Lucas D’Onofrio from Bishop Tonnos CSS in Hamilton is an excellent basketball, soccer, hockey and bocce player and acts as a quiet leader for his team. On the field, Lucas hustles, sets up his teammates to score, and never gives up. He reads the soccer field well and never stops trying to out-manoeuvre the players he is matched against. Off the …
Harvey Arcangeletti has been an amazing athlete with Special Olympics since 1975, starting at fifteen years old. He’s participated in many sports over the years including athletics, swimming, floor hockey, softball and bowling. His hard work and dedication have led him to several Provincial and National Games. Harvey has represented Special Olympics Canada at World Games in Baton Rouge (1983), …
Ewen Barclay has been involved with Special Olympics for the past six years, starting her journey in 2018. She’s a multisport athlete, participating in athletics, basketball, curling, soccer and speed skating. In 2024, Ewen competed in speed skating at the Special Olympics National Winter Games in Calgary and was a member of the West Niagara Grizzlies basketball team at the …
Meet Lisa Butler from Peterborough! Lisa is an incredible athlete, participating in floor hockey, 5 & 10-pin bowling, basketball, cross-country skiing, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, kayaking, and track & field with Special Olympics. In 2022, she qualified for Team Canada in cross-country skiing and received a special Team Canada medallion to commemorate that success. She’s also the 2022 Provincial and National …
Meet Marley Gayler from Kitchener-Waterloo! Marley competes in powerlifting, basketball, athletics, and cross-country skiing with Special Olympics and has represented Canada on the world stage. She won 3 golds and a silver at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin and is preparing to compete at the World Winter Games in Turin! When she’s not competing, Marley has been …
