The spirit of swimming is alive and thriving at the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games

July 12, 2025

By storytelling volunteer, Cori Ramsay

The Prince George Aquatic Centre is packed with athletes, coaches, officials, families, and spectators for the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games. Communities from across the province are in Prince George today, competing in several swimming events ranging from freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and more in various meters.

When looking out across the water, the bleachers are full, the lanes are splashing, with many athletes achieving personal bests. The various colours from each region are bright and the cheering squad is in full swing motivating fellow athletes who are representing their teams and home communities.

Athletes are competing throughout July 11 and into July 12 with medal ceremonies daily. The spirit of swimming is alive and thriving at the Special Olympics BC Summer Games and here’s what athletes, coaches, and parents had to say about their experience:

“So happy to be here supporting my son and all the athletes today. Amazing day!”

-Effie, SOBC – Coquitlam

Hoping to win the medal and do my best. I love the athletes and train with them. I appreciate how they’re doing – and they’re doing a great job. I worked hard to get here and achieved a personal best – and I feel great.

Cerys Davies, SOBC – Vancouver athlete

"I love everything about the games. I raced the 50m freestyle today.” When asked on advice for other athletes, she said: “Can, will do, positive attitude. Gives you positive feedback. I know you can do it. YOU GO!"

Sherry Altrogge, SOBC –Trail athlete

I want to say to the other athletes: never give up and never quit!

-Shelly Poland, SOBC – Golden

I’m swimming every event! I feel good. Try your best. I want to thank my dad and his girlfriend. We came on the bus and I’m having lots of fun making friends.

Jennifer King, SOBC Langley

Working on freestyle and and backstroke. My favourite part of the day is winning the competition. Just being here is achieving a personal best. I’m nervous but winning medals helps.

Jennifer King, SOBC – Langley

My favourite thing about swimming – I just love being in the water and how it makes me feel free because I have a visual impairment so when I’m in the water I know where to go and it feels good to know where to go and not worry about bumping into stuff. You know what – try your best – it doesn’t matter if you get bronze, silver, or gold - all that matters is you have fun and do your best.

-Emily Roberts, SOBC Langley athlete

"Feeling good – haven’t raced yet but going soon and I’m excited.” When asked her favourite thing about swimming she said: “the butterfly – it’s my favourite stroke! And I just want to say have fun and have a good time."

-Jade Deakin, SOBC – Langley athlete

Watching the athletes compete is the best part of the Special Olympics. This is my third year coaching and seeing the prep work that goes into preparing – swimming twice a week, couple hours a week, plus outside practices – hours and hours and hours goes into preparing. My mantra I share with athletes is: Breathe and make sure you are doing your best! I can’t believe how much I get back being a coach – it makes a huge difference.

Alex Wade, Region 6 Coach

The most exciting thing as a parent and the Special Olympics is watching all of the athletes – like all of them! It is so nice that they have this big community of people who share the same interest and they can make new friends and it’s really about the athletes! I’m excited – we participate in all the sports that are offered in our small town of Golden.

Ian and Stephanie Templeton, parents from SOBC – Golden