Special Olympics: Best of the Best - The power of the Special Olympics

In the traditional Olympic Games, we’re used to seeing athletes push themselves beyond their limits for a shot at the gold medal. But anyone involved with the Special Olympics can tell you there is a lot more value to be gained from sports than the glory of coming in first. For almost 40 years now, the Special Olympics have been helping their athletes in St. Albert to stay fit and active, all while promoting the values of cooperation, community and self-confidence. This positive outlook doesn’t just impact the athletes; it permeates every level of the organization, from the coaches and volunteers, and even spreads to the spectators and the larger community. It’s hard not to feel inspired when seeing these athletes performing in their element. Take a look.

The Special Olympics first started in Chicago in 1968 as a way to promote sport and athletics among people with intellectual disabilities. At that time, it was believed that these individuals weren’t capable of participating in recreational activities, but the founders of the Special Olympics knew the truth: people with intellectual disabilities simply weren’t being given the opportunity to prove themselves.

The organization first came to Alberta in 1980 and has since opened chapters in 30 communities across the province, including one here in St. Albert. Today, the Special Olympics division in St. Albert organizes a number of community social events, as well as competitions in a variety of sports.

While the Special Olympics do showcase the athletic abilities of the participants, the organization offers its athletes a lot more than trophies. Katherine Dalusong, who has been working for the organization for the last five years, has seen the benefits of the Special Olympics first-hand. “I’ve been honoured to be able to witness the blossoming of so many personalities through sport,” she says. “It has such a positive effect on their confidence and self-esteem. It gives them a chance to show the world how much they can achieve and to show themselves what they’re capable of, too.”

According to Katherine, this positivity from the athletes can be quite infectious.

“We get first-time coaches and volunteers who just come to help out a friend or family member as a one-time thing. But once they get to know our athletes and see their positivity, they have a tendency to stick around.”

John Villella is one such volunteer. Twelve years ago, he stepped in to coach his daughter’s basketball team, and he’s been involved with the Special Olympics ever since.

“We could all learn from their sense of fair play: respecting the other team and working hard to achieve your best,” he says. “Where other athletes argue with officials, our players are more likely to give the referees a hug after the game, and tell them how great it was. Referees often tell me how much fun they had after a tournament and ask when they can volunteer again. Life can get pretty hectic sometimes, but once I arrive to basketball practice, the world just seems right again.”

If the founders of the Special Olympics intended to celebrate that people with intellectual disabilities could excel at and inspire the world through sport, the community here in St. Albert has proven that several times over. The sense of confidence and goodwill that these athletes bring to the competition is something that all of us—every athlete, coach, spectator and community—could aspire to.  t8n