September 9, 2021
About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is the world's largest movement in promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion, and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities through sport. Special Olympics works towards improving the quality and quantity of sport participation opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. The organization is composed largely of volunteers who are committed to building awareness and support around disability sport through inclusive and anti-racism practices.
Virtual Games
Special Olympics Ontario Virtual Games provides SO athletes, student-athletes, and coaches of all ages and abilities the opportunity to compete in a wide variety of virtual games. Sports include bocce, golf, powerlifting, basketball, athletics, swimming, cycling, snowshoeing, softball, and more. From now until September 30th, athletes sign up for the Multi-Sport Games which includes target throwing, a hoop challenge, ball control, flutter kicks, a relay race, and more. Find out more about the Multi-Sport Games here.
Healthy @ Home
Healthy @ Home is an initiative led by Special Olympics that provides athletes and coaches with resources on staying connected, active, positive, and informed during the pandemic. Healthy @ Home also provides athletes with participation opportunities through programs and challenges like the Monthly Wellness Challenge (check out September's challenge here).
Reveal Your Champion
Reveal Your Chamption is a one-year training program that provides athletes with workouts, each focused on a different fitness area. Participants will have the opportunity to set monthly goals, work towards achieving them, and ultimately reveal their champion! Fitness areas including strength, endurance, power, flexibility, agility, and stamina will be covered. After registration, participants will be able to access monthly programs which consist of daily activities and workouts along with pictures and videos. Register here to start the program!
Flex
Flex is a virtual programming platform from Special Olympics Manitoba that keeps athletes engaged and active at home, despite the pandemic. This program not only focuses on fitness and health, but includes social opportunities for all ages and abilities.
MyPAHL
MyPAHL, Physical Activity and Healthy Living, is an online program that focuses on health and wellness. Special Olympics athletes have the opportunity to get rewarded on their journey to becoming physically fit. Athletes can create an account on www.mypahl.com and can complete a health risk assessment questionnaire that will determine an action plan for each athlete. Athletes can set personal goals and track their steps, sleep, mood, water intake, and fruit and vegetable intake. Through utilizing features on the platform, athletes can collect points and bid on items in the Rewards Store. Find out more here.
Peak Program
The Peak Program, created by Special Olympics Alberta, is an online program that challenges athletes to hit fitness goals and complete fun activities as a part of a BINGO card. Virtual sessions around health and wellness will be hosted weekly. SO athletes outside of Alberta can access pre-recorded sessions. The Peak Program is planning their next climb on October 4th, 2021. Find out more here.
Return-to-Program
Aligning with the government's phased approach to re-opening Ontario, Special Olympics Ontario has designed a phased return approach to return-to-programming. Learn more about Special Olympics' plan here. To learn more about Special Olympics and the resources they are providing during return-to-play, visit specialolympicsontario.com/return-to-program.