The presentation will describe the history and mission of Special Olympics Ontario. Local opportunities for involvement will be explored, with highlights of success stories for athletes and volunteers from the Peterborough area.

1. Ontario
Special Olympics
Providing year-round sports training and
athletic competition for individuals with
intellectual disabilities.
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2. What is Special Olympics?
• Special Olympics programs across Canada offer 18
Olympic-type sports to athletes with intellectual
disabilities
• In Peterborough, there are over 200 athletes and over
60 coaches and volunteers involved in 11 competitive
team programs and three multi-sport clubs
• Teams and Clubs programs practice weekly
throughout the season
• Athletes have an opportunity to attend higher-level
Games
2 / Special Olympics Ontario

3. What is Special Olympics?
• Special Olympics is a movement that launched in
1968 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Canada sent a Floor
Hockey team to this event.
• Special Olympics happens more than once
• “When are the Special Olympics?”
• Special Olympics is distinct from other Olympic
movements
• “Did you go to Sochi?”
3 / Special Olympics Ontario

4. Sports Offered in Peterborough
Nordic Skiing
Snowshoeing
Figure Skating
Floor Hockey
4 / Special Olympics Ontario
5-Pin Bowling
10-Pin Bowling
Swimming
Basketball
Softball
Track & Field
Soccer
Multi-sport Club
Youth Multi-sport Club
Girls Multi-sport Club

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6. Ontario
Local
Success
Stories
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7. Peterborough Played Host…
• The 2004 Provincial Spring Games saw athletes from
across Ontario welcomed to the City of Peterborough
7 / Special Olympics Ontario
Passing the torch to 2005
hosts, Niagara Region

8. Vancouver 2014
• Four local athletes headed to Vancouver for the
National Summer Games
• Katie Galloro, Mathew Ludlow, Michael Brioux, and
Jeff Cassidy were part of Team Ontario’s 5-pin
bowling contingent.
8 / Special Olympics Ontario

9. Corner Brook 2016
• Three Nordic skiers and a Nordic coach will proudly
represent the Peterborough community as Team
Ontario heads to Corner Brook, Newfoundland for the
2016 National Winter Games
• Richard Byrd, Steve Caban and Lisa Butler will be
joined by Perry Byrd for the trip
9 / Special Olympics Ontario

10. World Games
• In 2001, two Peterborough Nordic skiers attended the
Special Olympics World Winter Games in Anchorage:
Andrea Dowey and Mike Johnson
10 / Special Olympics Ontario
• Steve Caban continued the Nordic tradition, and has
attended World Winter Games in Nagano 2005, Boise
2009, and Pyeong Chang 2013
• Track athlete Adam Guthrie has attended World
Summer Games in both Shanghai 2007 and Athens
2011

11. Ontario
Getting
Involved
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12. As an Athlete
• Special Olympics athletes are all ages: there are
programs for children as young as 3, and athletes can
be involved for life.
• Program costs are offset by community fundraising:
participation is very affordable
• There are no try-outs: all levels of ability are welcome
12 / Special Olympics Ontario

13. As a Volunteer
• Volunteering with Special Olympics is a rewarding
experience
• Our volunteers coach athletes in their sport, or help
with administration (attend meetings, help with
registration, etc.)
• Volunteers require a police record check
• Special Olympics has a volunteer recognition program
(Years of Service, annual ‘thank you’ gift, Provincial
Awards)
13 / Special Olympics Ontario

14. Ontario
Thank You
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