Amy Nelson
Local Community
Coquitlam
When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?
I got involved in Special Olympics when I was just 14 years old though friends that were already in Special Olympics.
Will this be your first Special Olympics Canada Games? If not, what other National Games did you compete in, and in what sports?
This will be my first National Games for soccer. I went to Provincials for soccer back in 2017. I went to my first World Games back in 2023 as part of the first ever women’s soccer team. I also competed in 3 Special Olympics BC Summer Games for swimming.
What were your results in the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games? How did you feel about your performance?
For Provincials, I went for swimming. I came in third, fourth, and seventh places, and I beat all my personal best times. The only one I felt bad performing in was my 100m freestyle. Even though I finished in third place and got the Bronze medal, I just felt like it wasn’t my best swim and that I could have done better.
What does being part of Special Olympics Team BC 2026 mean to you?
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.
What is your goal for these National 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 wear Team BC with pride.
What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date?
My favourite experience was when I represented Team Canada in 2023. I loved being part of the first women’s soccer team for Team Canada, and was happy to come home with a Bronze medal.
What do you like most about the sport you will compete in at National Games?
What I like most about my sport is that we get to work as a team and help each other out to achieve the goal that we want.
What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?
Getting involved in Special Olympics is amazing and rewarding. You get to travel and meet new people, and you get to have goals for yourself and get coached by the most amazing coaches.
Please tell us a little bit more about yourself! What else would you like people to know about you?
When I’m not playing sports I am working at Save On Foods three times a week. I also like to crochet on my spare time.