Healthy Athletes
The Special Olympics Canada Healthy Athletes program plays a critical role in improving health equity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by delivering free, accessible, and inclusive health screenings directly within Special Olympics environments across the country.
Healthy Athletes was developed in recognition that while participation in sport improves health, many athletes with IDD face significant barriers to accessing routine healthcare, resulting in untreated conditions and increased health risks. Through Healthy Athletes, Special Olympics Canada helps bridge this gap by identifying health concerns early, providing education, and connecting athletes to appropriate follow‑up care.
Special Olympics Canada Summer Games Medicine Hat 2026 is proud to offer 6 disciplines of healthy athletes:
Participation in Special Olympics programming, including Healthy Athletes, is associated with measurable health improvements. Research highlighted by Special Olympics Canada shows that athletes experience:
Beyond individual health outcomes, Healthy Athletes contributes to system‑level impact by strengthening inclusive healthcare practices. The program offers hands‑on opportunities for healthcare professionals and students to develop the skills, confidence, and experience needed to provide respectful, person‑centered care to individuals with IDD. This approach helps build a more inclusive health workforce and improves the quality of care athletes receive beyond Special Olympics settings.
**compared to individuals with IDD who do not participate in Special Olympics programs.