Verdict is in: A smashing success
The 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games are over and the verdict is nearly unanimous: It was a smashing success.
Athletes, officials, spectators and volunteers all say they will take away nothing but fond and happy memories of the week in Medicine Hat when they return to their home province or territory.
“I had a real good time,” said powerlifter Daniel Moore of Corner Brook, NL, who won three medals, two bronze and a silver. “I was happy with the week. The volunteers were great. Every one of them were so nice.”
Soccer player Jenny Murray of Team Alberta, who calls Edmonton home, said “just being with the team and getting to know everybody” was what she will remember the most. “I wanted to come here, have fun and come back with a medal. The medal didn’t happen, but I still had a lot of fun. I was here in 2017 for the provincial games and I thought the city was very nice. My sister has in-laws who live here.”
Murray said she was proud to be part of the first all-girls’ team from Alberta to compete at nationals.
There was a general theme from athletes and spectators about the terrific effort put forth by the organizing committee and the volunteers “The volunteers were fantastic,” said soccer player Nathan Palace of Edmonton.
Jeff Wood of Regina, who was a caddy for his silver-medal-winning golfer son Brandon, had nothing but great things to say about the city, the event and the organizers who put it all together.
“It was a great week. The golf course was fantastic,” he said. “First day was a little rainy but other than that, it held off and was good. The food was great. Lots of snacks.”
What he’ll remember most, said Wood, was the people. “Hanging out with everybody. We met lots of great people. We met some pretty cool people from Nova Scotia and PEI. I’ll remember the people the most. We had an awesome time.”
Debbie Leuschner of Nova Scotia attended the Games to watch her daughter, Lisa, Leuschner, win a silver and bronze medal in running.
“I thought the Games went great,” said Leuschner. “Other than the weather, I guess,” she said with a chuckle. “Everything was very well organized. I thought the opening ceremonies were pretty good, but there was maybe a bit too much talking from the dignitaries. I think we could have done with less. The other parts were really great.”
Matthew Nachai of Sherwood Park, a member of the Alberta men’s basketball team, said he was happy that his team did so well. It didn’t win a medal “but we came in fourth place. We tried our best.”
A first-time competitor at a national event, Nachai said everyone treated him and his teammates very well. “It was amazing,” he said, adding that one of the highlights was “meeting other athletes from different towns and provinces. Just the experience of being here was great,” he said.
Bocce player Junior Dumaresque of Labrador City, NL, said he didn’t get a medal “but I played good and that’s all I can ask for. The Games were run perfectly,” he said, adding that the best part of the week was “meeting friends.”
The welcoming nature of people from Medicine Hat and fellow visitors from across the country is what Amanda Dobler, head coach of the Alberta women’s basketball team, will remember the most.
“It’s been amazing,” said Dobler. “People have been so welcoming.”
The highlight? “Seeing all the athletes including my own, seeing them grow and show their spirit for each other. It was wonderful.”
Dobler said she didn’t know exactly what to expect before getting to Medicine Hat, but “my expectations have been exceeded,” she said. “All the volunteers made us feel so much at home. Everybody has been wonderful.
“The only glitch was the rain It’s just a big thing to organize, so any glitches are not that big a deal. Overall, it was run wonderfully. The volunteers in every venue have been amazing.”
— story by Bruce Penton, Special Olympics Canada Summer Games
