Special Olympics Team BC unstoppable at 2026 National Summer Games
After months of training in their year-round Special Olympics programs in communities across B.C., our provincial team members are showing their skills, sportsmanship, and unstoppable spirit at the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
Special Olympics Team BC 2026 is made up of 243 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, supported by nearly dedicated 100 volunteer coaches and mission staff. From August 11 to 15, they are giving their all in 10 sports at the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games: 10-pin bowling, basketball, bocce, golf, powerlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming (aquatics), and track and field (athletics).
Visit SOTeamBC.ca for livestreaming links and SO Team BC photos, stories, schedules, results, and more
The 2026 National Games adventure began with Special Olympics Team BC members travelling to Medicine Hat from more than 42 communities across the province.
The team members from Kelowna and Vernon showed their resilience and determination when their original travel plans were affected by wildfires. Their bus arrived late at night, and yet they were smiling and ready to train in Medicine Hat right away the next morning. Our hearts and thoughts are with everyone battling wildfires and the significant community challenges around these extreme events.
For the members of Special Olympics Team BC, this national competition is a really meaningful opportunity. They want to have the chance to challenge themselves to achieve personal bests, compete with pride against athletes from all across the country, and show their abilities and passion in their sports. The eyes of the nation are on them, and Special Olympics Team BC is ready!
“The 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games kicks off today in Medicine Hat. To the athletes taking part: enjoy every second. Canada is cheering you on.”
-Prime Minister Mark Carney’s post on August 11
The Opening Ceremony brought together more than 1,700 provincial and territorial team members from Special Olympics programs across Canada, cheered on by supporters from all over the world (including New Zealand!) and passionate community members in Medicine Hat.
Who were the flag bearers for Special Olympics Team BC 2026?
When the provincial and territorial teams proudly walked into the Opening Ceremony, Special Olympics Team BC 2026 was led by athletes Amy Nelson and Ramon Siytangco.
Amy Nelson is a dedicated soccer player from Coquitlam who is part of Special Olympics Team BC’s all-female soccer team, a first for our province. Nelson is a hardworking athlete, positive team member, and model of sportsmanship who always gives her best and cheers for others. Nelson successfully represented Canada in soccer at the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin, where she played on the first national all-female soccer team at World Games.
“My goal for the National Games is to win the gold medal and meet new people. I want to work as a team and represent Team BC with pride. It means a lot to be because I have watched my younger sister play lacrosse for Team BC, and witnessed her team winning the gold medal. Now I get to be part of Team BC for Special Olympics.”
-Amy Nelson
Ramon Siytangco is a decorated swimmer from Vancouver. He raced his way to the top of the podium in the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Games, as well as the Canada Summer Games. Siytangco is an outstanding swimmer and dedicated athlete known for his commitment to training and excellence in and out of the pool. He gives his time to volunteer at many Special Olympics fundraising and awareness initiatives as well.
“Being part of Special Olympics Team BC is an accomplishment for me, and I feel proud representing Vancouver and B.C. My goal for National Games is to win medals and to make it to Team Canada for the Special Olympics World Games in 2027. In swimming, I like the strokes I do, and when I set best times, I feel proud. Also, I like cheering on my teammates during their races.”
-Ramon Siytangco
Fun fact: Ramon’s younger brother Michael Siytangco is also now a Special Olympics Team BC 2026 swimmer! Michael is making his National Games debut in Medicine Hat. Our team has a number of family members together as fellow athletes, or as athletes and coaches or mission staff, including siblings as well as parents and children. Check out our roster to see if you can spot the amazing families involved!
What were some of the highlights in the Special Olympics Canada Games Opening Ceremony?
The Opening Ceremony honoured the Special Olympics community and mission of changing lives and building inclusion through the power and joy of sport. There were many highlight moments.
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Louise Arbour spoke to welcome all the teams and honour their achievements. The Governor General’s involvement in the Special Olympics Canada Games is a powerful display of respect for the abilities of athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and a testament to the meaningful ongoing support that the Government of Canada provides to Special Olympics athletes and programs across Canada.
Before the ceremony, Her Excellency had the opportunity to tour National Games events and Healthy Athletes screenings alongside Special Olympics BC athlete and Sargent Shriver Global Messenger Susan Wang, a member of the Canadian Athlete Leadership Council. Wang is involved in awareness and advocacy roles at the National Games, making an impact through her leadership skills and inspiring insights.
Another emotional moment came when the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg delivered the Flame of Hope to the ceremony, including a member rappelling in from the roof! The Law Enforcement Torch Run movement is made up of champions of inclusion who support Special Olympics year round through events and initiatives that raise vital funds and awareness for athletes and programs. The LETR Final Leg is a signature event that brings the Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremony of major Special Olympics Games.
In the LETR Final Leg for the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Games, the runners made a multi-day journey across Alberta, raising awareness and building inclusion and respect for Special Olympics athletes everywhere they went.
Special Olympics BC was proud and grateful to have a BC LETR member leading the way with this inspiring group. Kamloops RCMP Cst. Phil Whiles ran with pride and helped open hearts and minds to the abilities of athletes with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Team BC really enjoyed spending time with Cpl. Whiles and the LETR members before the Opening Ceremony, trading stories and selfies.
Special Olympics Team BC brought their unstoppable energy into the Opening Ceremony after a memorable pep rally, where their cheers and chants showed their positive spirit!
Special Olympics Team BC 2026 is fortunate to have incredible fans. Messages from supporters all across B.C. and Canada have been sent to SO Team BC through games@specialolympics.bc.ca. They are printed and hanging in the Games accommodation. The team members love browsing and seeing this support and feeling so much encouragement behind them!
SO Team BC also has truly incredible fans on site in Medicine Hat. This group had a great gathering on the first day that brought them all together for an amazing experience, and they were an inspiring presence in the Opening Ceremony.
Wishing all of SO Team BC and all supporters an amazing National Games experience!
What’s happening now at the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games?
Competition at the 2026 National Games is underway through August 15.
Nine sports (everything except golf) can be watching through livestreaming. The SO Team BC homepage has all the links, including livestreaming and SO Team BC photos and schedules!
How does Special Olympics Team BC 2026 feel about being at National Games?
A few of their many inspiring comments from the opening days of the 2026 National Games!
“My goal for National Games is to win a medal and try my personal best.”
-Softball player Simone Myers, SOBC – Port Alberni
“Try your best is my goal for National Games. If we win or lose, never give up. And never, ever back down from a challenge.”
-Soccer player Ranvir Hundal, SOBC – Burnaby
"I think the biggest reward is the athletes’ joy, and seeing the joy on their faces. They come out here with so much passion and so much excitement, and it is really rewarding just to see all the hard work that they put in for the last few years pay off."
-Bocce coach Arjan Basra, SOBC – Surrey
Special Olympics Team BC 2026 truly is #UnstoppableTogether!