Ashley Thompson
Local Community
Oceanside
When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?
In 2009, I moved from Winnipeg and joined Special Olympics swimming. My mom became the Local Coordinator for Special Olympics, and now I participate in most of the summer and winter sports all of the time.
Will this be your first Special Olympics Canada Games? If not, what other National Games did you compete in, and in what sports?
Yes, these will be my first National Games, but I have been to Provincials for swimming and curling in the past.
What were your results in the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games? How did you feel about your performance?
At Provincials in Prince George, I won gold. It was the best that I have done!
What does being part of Special Olympics Team BC 2026 mean to you?
I am so happy and love being so involved with Special Olympics. I am busy all of the time. I look forward to going, trying my best, playing golf, and being with all of the other athletes.
What is your goal for these National Games?
I just want to play my best and have a wonderful time with all of the other athletes. I will learn and see what everyone else is doing. Yes, a win would be great, but I do know that there are so many great athletes out there.
What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date?
My favourite experience has been winning my gold medal in Prince George. It made me so happy. I have been to Provincials twice for curling, but I am so excited to go to the Summer Games for golf. This is the best I have done so far. Everyone is so excited for me.
What do you like most about the sport you will compete in at National Games?
I have been golfing since I was a little girl at my grandparents cottage. Now, we live on a golf course, and we used to sneak out and hit golf balls.
What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?
My mom and I always talk about Special Olympics and ask all of my friends and their parents to join in on the sports.
Please tell us a little bit more about yourself! What else would you like people to know about you?
I love sports and like to do all that I can. I go to a program 4 days a week and do lots of activities – delivering papers, volunteering at the church for less fortunate people on Thursdays for lunch, learn computer skills, and mom and I do lots of activities. I am very smart but also very quiet, so people don’t know how smart I am.