Karen Dommett

How long have you been involved with Special Olympics?

I have been involved with Special Olympics for 3.5 years.

How were you first introduced to the movement and what got you hooked?

I was introduced to the Special Olympics movement through the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, where I served as Manager of Athlete Services for the host society. Through this role, I learned all about the power that hosting adaptive and inclusive sport has on society to change perceptions of persons with disabilities. Thousands of volunteers and partners in Red Deer received disability inclusion training as a result, leaving a legacy of inclusivity.

How has being involved with Special Olympics impacted your life?

I've been very lucky to be in positions with the movement that have afforded me the opportunity to serve as an advocate and promoter of inclusion. This has given me unique professional opportunities to have influence in spaces I may not have otherwise had the same opportunities with generic sport. I ALWAYS learn the most from our athlete leaders and am reminded to always serve with a people-first approach.

What is your favourite part about your role on the team?

I love working with all our volunteer coaches, mission staff and support staff. I am continually surprised and humbled at their passion and dedication to creating the best experience possible for the athletes. They ask such meaningful questions and continuously advocate for the athletes and are consistently advancing the movement.

What is your proudest moment with Special Olympics?

During the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024, getting to watch the LETR torch come into the venue and light the cauldron that was designed with the input and guidance of local athlete and leader, Leonka Kaluha - standing there and sharing that moment with Leonka after over a year of working on these Games together and seeing it come to life was a moment I will never forget. In that moment Leonka taught me the ultimate lesson in how to accept a compliment, as I was weeping and expressing my gratitude to her, she smiled calmly back at me and simply said 'You're Welcome!'.

What does being a part of Special Olympics Team Canada mean to you and what is your goal for Turin?

It is a huge honour to be on this team. As a first timer, I'm looking forward to taking it all in. My goal is to ensure the athletes and coaches can focus on their competitions and the Games environment by keeping all the logistics smoothly running behind the scenes.

What unique skills or experiences do you bring to your role as a coach, mission staff or team leadership and what drives you to support and inspire the athletes every day?

I think my previous experiences as Mission Staff and Games Staff in various domestic Games, but never at a Special Olympics World Games, brings in a fresh perspective. Uniquely, I live in the same small community as an SOTC coach, athlete, and mission staff and regularly see them in my day to day - it brings me so much excitement to know that their journey to Turn 2025 is so well supported by the team behind the team and I can't wait to see the pride that they will bring to our local community.

What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering with Special Olympics?

If you are thinking about it - go for it! You truly have nothing to lose and so much to gain.