Nearly 900 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 300 volunteer coaches and mission staff from 46 communities all across the province will converge in Prince George from July 10 to 12 to compete with pride and passion in the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games.
Excitement is high as these are Special Olympics BC’s first Provincial Summer Games in eight years. This empowering provincial competition will give dedicated athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities the chance to “let their brilliance shine,” in the words of SOBC – Prince George athlete Chase Caron, designer of the 2025 SOBC Games medal ribbon and one of the Athlete Ambassadors serving on the 2025 SOBC Summer Games Organizing Committee.
In Special Olympics BC Games, athletes with intellectual disabilities take the spotlight and show their abilities. Too often, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are left behind and isolated, misunderstood and mistreated. In Special Olympics programs and competitions, they use the power and joy of sport to break down barriers and build a better, more inclusive world.
2025 SOBC Summer Games competitors earned their spots in Prince George by competing in Regional Qualifiers in 2024. In the 2025 SOBC Summer Games, they will pursue personal bests and the opportunity to advance to the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat, Alta. Those National Games will be the qualifier for the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Santiago, Chile.
“We are so excited to watch Special Olympics BC athletes shine in Prince George, and open hearts and minds to their abilities. Special Olympics BC sincerely thanks all the volunteers and sponsors involved with the 2025 SOBC Games and Special Olympics programs all across our province – we are so grateful for their commitment to building inclusion, respect, and opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities,” said Michelle Cruickshank, SOBC Vice President, Sport.
“The Special Olympics BC Summer Games are an inspiring display of the human spirit and the power of sport,” said Premier David Eby.
“These incredible athletes embody the true meaning of sport through their relentless commitment, support for one another and pure joy in pursuit of their personal best. Our government is proud to support Special Olympics BC and wishes all the athletes great success. Our entire province is cheering you on!”
“Special Olympics are a shining example of what sport is truly about—inclusion, inspiration, and joy,” said Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.
“These games exemplify that sport is for everyone, of any age and ability. We are proud of the participants from across the province who will give it their all, lift each other up, and, most of all, have fun in celebration of the power of the human spirit.”
A place for everyone
“When I was in school I was not popular at all. I didn’t have very many friends, and I was picked last for everything. During games at school, I was forgotten about, cast aside because I was different. I have an intellectual disability.” said Nick Kellof, a Special Olympics BC athlete set to compete in basketball at the 2025 SOBC Games – alongside his son!
“Throughout my life a lot of people doubted that I would ever drive a car, or have a career. Special Olympics brought me out of my shell. Athletes and coaches never ignored me or judged me once. Special Olympics BC taught me that there really are no limitations to what I can do. In my non-sport life, I took what SOBC – North Shore taught me and worked very hard. I am now in my eleventh year at my job. I drive my own vehicle, got married, and had a son. Special Olympics has made me realize that I can overcome doubts and that I can achieve excellence,”
On July 10, the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games will kick off with the inspiring Opening Ceremony, starting at 7:30 p.m. at Prince George’s CN Centre. The program will feature remarks by valued leaders including:
- Lheidli T’enneh First Nation Chief Dolleen Logan and Elder Darlene McIntosh,
- The Honourable David Eby, M.L.A., Premier of British Columbia,
- The Honourable Spencer Chandra Herbert, M.L.A., Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport,
- and City of Prince George Mayor Simon Yu.
The show will also include recognition of the Regional teams entering to represent their home communities with pride, and local entertainment including the Khast’an Drummers.
On July 11 and 12, competition in 10 different sports will take place across Prince George throughout the day both days. The 2025 SOBC Games sports are 10-pin bowling, basketball, bocce, golf, rhythmic gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, softball, swimming, and track and field.
To be at their best competing in Prince George, athletes have been training with passion and purpose in the year-round Special Olympics programs in their communities. Special Olympics BC sport, youth, and health programs are made possible by dedicated volunteers who give their time, skills, and heart every week to empower athletes, and say they get back just as much as they give.
Fans from across the province can visit www.SOBCGames.ca to follow the action online, share their cheers, and learn how to change lives – including their own – by getting involved with the empowering year-round Special Olympics sport, youth, and health programs in 55 communities across B.C.
