Special Olympics provides individuals with an intellectual disability the opportunity to enhance their life and celebrate personal achievement through positive sport experiences.

Inspired by the discoveries of Dr. Frank Hayden’s research which demonstrated that, given the opportunity, persons with an intellectual disability could become physically fit and acquire the physical skills necessary to participate in sports, Special Olympics was born. The first sports competition organized under the Special Olympics banner was held at Soldier’s Field in Chicago in 1968. Today, over 28,000 athletes with an intellectual disability participate in Special Olympic programs in Canada. Around the world, Special Olympics has grown to service over one million athletes in more than 160 countries.

In 1980, Special Olympics BC (SOBC) was established as an accredited chapter of Special Olympics Canada. There are currently 49 communities offering Special Olympic programs in BC. SOBC Vancouver offers over 20 programs, which are athlete-centered, coach-driven and administratively-assisted. These programs give athletes the opportunity to train year-round in order to compete and test their skills against athletes of similar ability. Our athlete base is at 211 and growing, aged 8 to 60+, and of all ability levels, from developmental to elite. Athletes train and compete at the regional level and have the opportunity to qualify and participate in provincial, national and world games.