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 …
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 …
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 …
Creating More Inclusive Schools Across Ontario
Supported by the Government of Ontario More than 1,100 athletes, unified partners and educators from over 90 schools came together at the 2026 Special Olympics Ontario School Championships in London. For three days, students from across Ontario competed alongside their peers, built meaningful friendships and experienced the power of belonging. But School Championships is about much more than competition. Inspired by the legacy of Special Olympics movement founder Dr. …
More Than 1,000 Athletes to Gather in London for the 2026 Special Olympics Ontario School Championships
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, …
Making Waves for Inclusion: The 2026 Polar Plunge Raises $1.2 Million
It takes a specific kind of courage to dive into freezing waters in the middle of an Ontario winter. But this year, communities across the province proved that their warmth and generosity easily outmatch the chill. The 2026 Polar Plunge season was nothing short of historic, rallying thousands of people to get #FreezinForAReason and shattering expectations. The incredible impact of …
Unified 3×3 Basketball World Cup – San Juan 2025 – Men’s Team Canada
🏀 Team Canada is gearing up for an incredible milestone: the first-ever Special Olympics Unified 3×3 Basketball World Cup, and Ontario is leading the charge! For the first time in history, athletes with and without intellectual disabilities will come together in San Juan, Puerto Rico to compete as teammates on a global stage, proudly representing their countries. This groundbreaking event …
Unified 3×3 Basketball World Cup – San Juan 2025 – Women’s Team Canada
🏀 Team Canada is gearing up for an incredible milestone: the first-ever Special Olympics Unified 3×3 Basketball World Cup, and Ontario is leading the charge! For the first time in history, athletes with and without intellectual disabilities will come together in San Juan, Puerto Rico to compete as teammates on a global stage, proudly representing their countries. This groundbreaking event …