Submitted photo/Jett Schwaier

By Jett Schwaier

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat recognizes donations and support for next year’s Special Olympics

Sep 23, 2025 | 4:42 PM

The Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre in Medicine Hat hosted athletes, supporters, and volunteers participating in the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.

Next year’s games will be the biggest multi-sport event in Medicine Hat’s history.

Several organizations including Special Olympics Canada, the Yuill Foundation, Calgary Flames Foundation, Medicine Hat Accommodation Association, City of Medicine Hat, Cypress County, and both provincial and federal governments have donated and volunteered to support the games.

Representatives from the organizations took the opportunity to emphasize why they’re contributing to the Games at the Esplanade on Monday.

Kirsten Bobbie, Director of Sport and Competition, Special Olympics Canada, said Alberta loves volunteering.

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“We’ve got a call-out for 1,500 volunteers that are needed to help with the games,” Bobbie said.

“That is 1,500 people that will then get to experience the joy of working with Special Olympics [that will] receive all of the great training for working with people with an intellectual and developmental disability.”

Bobbie said there are so many benefits to why Medicine Hat was chosen to host the Special Olympics.

“That community feel that’s out here [in Medicine Hat], the fantastic sporting facilities that this city has to offer, and just a really great hosting environment that they put forward for us,” Bobbie said.

“We saw that here today with the athletes being announced, just that forefront thought of inclusion in sport for everyone goes such a long way in the community.”

“Those impacts have such a ripple effect across everywhere with everyone feeling included in sport,” she added.

The first five athletes from Medicine Hat were revealed as Team Alberta members during Monday’s event at the Esplanade

The athletes have been announced playing bocce and 10-pin bowling.

Bocce athletes include Michael Baumgardt, Jessica McCombe, Ashley Truant, and Nigel Zimmerman.

The fifth athlete was Mitch MacDonald who will be competing in 10-pin bowling.

These athletes will be among more than 1,700 athletes and coaches from across Canada competing in 10 sports during the Games.

MacDonald said it’s amazing to compete in your hometown and in front of friends and family.

“I’m going to be glad that I can show them [friends and family] what I got and represent Medicine Hat Special Olympics. That’s a really good one,” MacDonald said.

Sponsors and donations are still needed as the Games budget is $3.85 million.

More than 1,500 volunteers are needed to make sure the week-long event runs smoothly.

To volunteer for the week-long event, registration is open at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games website.

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READ: One year away from Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat