Athletes, supporters, and volunteers in the limelight as national games picks up momentum
MEDICINE HAT – The first five athletes have been announced for next year’s Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, and they’ve
got a lot of support behind them.
The call is now out to add to that support and make Canada’s largest inclusive sport event, taking place Aug. 11-15, 2026 event the
best it can be.
Medicine Hat bocce players Michael Baumgardt, Jessica McCombe, Ashley Truant, and Nigel Zimmerman, plus ten pin bowler Mitch
MacDonald were revealed as Team Alberta members during Monday’s special event at the Esplanade. With major sponsors, officials,
and media on hand, the hometown contingent was all smiles as they took to the stage and posed for photographs.
“It means the world to me,” said MacDonald, who won gold at the recent provincial championships in Grande Prairie. “Your family
can come and support you (when you compete at home).”
MacDonald will be among more than 1,700 athletes and coaches from across Canada competing in 10 sports during the Games. It
takes an incredible amount of teamwork behind the scenes to pull off the biggest multi-sport event in Medicine Hat’s history,
supported by generous donations from both the public and private sector.
Representatives from 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 took the opportunity to emphasize
why they’re contributing to the Games.
“The Yuill Family Foundation believes in the power of sport to bring people together and break down barriers,” said Cori
Cuthbertson, administrator of the foundation which has pledged $100,000 to the Summer Games. “Supporting (the Games) is our
way of celebrating inclusion, excellence, and the extraordinary courage of all athletes.”
Sponsors and donations are still needed as the games budget is $3.85 million. Equally important are volunteers, more than 1,500 of
whom are needed to make sure the week-long event runs smoothly.
Anyone interested in volunteering can now register at www.socmedhat2026.ca.
“We’re looking for volunteers in every role you can imagine — from guiding guests and helping feed our athletes, to managing
parking and entering competition results,” said Games volunteer director Darla Grasley. “There’s a role for everyone. These games
will be held together by the spirit, generosity, and joy of our volunteers. We know Hatters will step up and show the country how
truly remarkable this community is.”
So will the athletes. Everyone involved can’t wait for next August, when the spotlight will shine bright in Medicine Hat.
Learn more about the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games by following @socsummergames on Facebook, Instagram,
LinkedIn, and TikTok.
For more information or to schedule an interview, contact the Games office at admin@socmedhat2026.ca
