Donate

Athlete Reporter Highlight Reel: Looking back at a successful season

June 16, 2026
    Athlete Reporter Highlight Reel: Looking back at a successful season
    Amazing action at the softball tournament hosted by SOBC – Coquitlam! Photo by Terry Hogan

    With the 2025-26 sport season coming to a close, Athlete Reporters shared some of many achievements by Special Olympics BC athletes, volunteers, communities, and champions across the province this year!

    More than 3,500 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities participated in sport, youth, and health programs in 55 communities across the province, as well as exciting competitions and meaningful fundraising events. These life-changing experiences are made possible by the passion of the athletes, the dedication, time, and talents of Special Olympics BC volunteers, and the generosity and caring of our sponsors and donors.  

    While many sports are wrapping up for the season, upcoming summer highlights include:

    What are some of the highlights that Special Olympics BC Athlete Reporters experienced this season in their communities?

    Miranda Orth, SOBC – Nanaimo

    The Special Olympics 2025-2026 season had some great highlights for athletes along with coaches and volunteers. Everyone had fun at Special Olympics sports and fundraising events about the organization!

    My favourite achievement this season was the recent hot dog sale that happened in May for Special Olympics BC – Nanaimo. We raised $2,300 at the sale!

    I enjoyed participating in Club Fit, including a session back in February where I interviewed a fellow athlete, Ron Greenhorn about what sport he was doing the 2026 Special Olympics Winter Regional Qualifiers that were from February to April.

    The main goal I had earlier this year for sports was training as if I were going to be competing at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat this August. I'm still doing training and inspiration of this goal, because I felt I did really well at the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George that happened last July, where I won silver medals in javelin, shot put, 1500 metres, and 3000 metres!

    I felt great about participating in Special Olympics this season because we had more fundraising events like the hot dog sale, and there were many people helping out and donating for Special Olympics sports.

    For the next season, I am looking forward to seeing more Special Olympics fundraising events in Nanaimo happen to inform people what the organization is about, like the sports available. This also includes the leadership programs like athlete report training and resources people can look at on Special Olympics BC website!

    David Johnston, SOBC – Dawson Creek

    My favourite sports achievement in this season was getting second at the Curling Regional Qualifier in Quesnel. 

    My favourite moment with my friends in Special Olympics this season was being able to travel and connect with other athletes and compete in all different kinds of sports and to at least try our best. And no matter what, as long as we try our best, we had fun.

    I achieved one of my sport goals this season by competing in Regionals in curling this year. I made it happen by going to competitions and practices all the time and trying my best to throw down rocks, get my sweeping, and being positive the whole time at practice and at Regionals.

    Participating in Special Olympics this season made me feel really good, and passionate about the sport I do, and all the sports I do. It really made me happy to achieve my goal of competing in Special Olympics this year and to possibly continue on.

    What I’m looking forward to next is competing in other sports in Dawson Creek, whatever they may be, to try my best, and to compete with fellow athletes and to go out and have fun.

    Also, I would like to do more Athlete Reporter assignments, and take more Athlete Leadership courses. I believe in Special Olympics 100 per cent, and I believe in the Special Olympics Athlete’s Oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

    Watch more from David and his interview with fellow athlete Dara Watson!

     

    What are some more highlights from the 2025-26 Special Olympics BC sport season?

    • Our year-round sport, youth, and health programs provided at low or no cost for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 55 communities across the province. | Get involved to change lives, including yours
    • More than 1,000 athletes competed in 2026 SOBC Winter Regional Qualifier competitions held across the province. | Find the recap and Athlete Reporter coverage
    • Special Olympics Team BC members working hard on the road to the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games coming up in August. | Meet and support SO Team BC 2026
    • Successful fundraising events including the Empire Family of Brands campaign on through June 21, and runners racing and fundraising for Special Olympics BC in events like the Law Enforcement Torch Run and the Beneva Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k (June 28). | Find our fundraising events
    • Special Olympics BC Youth Programs growing in communities and schools across the province. | Read more
    • Inclusive Health opportunities changing the game for athlete health and equal opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. | Read more
    • Deserving athletes and volunteers being recognized with nominations for the 2026 Special Olympics BC Awards. | Read more
    • Our calendar shares more event highlights, including community competitions, coaching courses, and Safe Sport training for athletes and volunteers. | Find the calendar

    Learn more about Athlete Leadership

    Athlete Reporter training is one of the opportunities offered within Special Olympics BC Athlete Leadership programs.