Meet Special Olympics Team BC athlete Angela Klein 

Racing with purpose 

Alongside more than 200 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Klein is preparing to compete in swimming at the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat, Alberta, this August. These athletes will be supported by dedicated volunteer coaches, mission staff, and their strong networks of supporters back home. 

Klein is clear about what success means to her. 

“To do the best that I can, and to know that, no matter what, I am a winner and I can do it, in and out of the pool,” she said. 

Klein first joined Special Olympics BC at 18 years old, when a Local Coordinator encouraged her to give it a try. What started as a one-year commitment has grown into a lifelong journey spanning more than two decades. 

“I said I would give it a try for one year. … 26 years later, I’m still involved!” 

Since then, she has competed in two National Games, with softball at the 2006 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Brandon, Manitoba, and continuing with swimming at the 2014 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Vancouver.  This year’s Games in Medicine Hat will be her third National Games. 

Through the program, Klein has built lasting friendships and developed powerful confidence. 

One of her most cherished memories came when her team collectively earned personal-best performances, fulfilling a coach’s promise in unforgettable fashion. 

“That day, the team really showed up. … I got to be the one to shave his head!” 

She now honours that coach’s lasting impact, dedicating her races to his memory and inspiration. 

Strength through sport 

Klein earned her place on the Special Olympics Team BC 2026 Training Squad after a standout performance at the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George, where she achieved a remarkable milestone: earning medals in every swimming event she entered. 

“When I realized I earned medals in all of my events, I cried,” Klein said. 

The moment held deep emotional significance, as she reflected on her late mother and sister. 

“I thought, ‘Mommy, can you see me? … Sissy, are you proud of me, I did it.’” 

For Klein, being part of Special Olympics Team BC is about far more than competition. 

“New experiences, new friends, new memories… teamwork, cheering your teammates on, in and out of the pool, hard work, laughter, and incredible memories for life.” 

Whether she’s encouraging teammates, celebrating accomplishments, or singing along to “We Are the Champions,” Klein brings enthusiasm and positivity to every moment. 

Klein is a proud Indigenous athlete of Kwakiutl and Cree heritage. Outside of the pool, she enjoys creative hobbies like crocheting and painting, and she’s known for her vibrant personality, especially when cheering on her local hockey team. 

Training six days a week, Klein’s dedication to swimming is matched only by her energy and love for community. 

Klein’s journey is a powerful reminder of the confidence, connection, and joy that Special Olympics can bring. 

“It will change your life.”