“Arrived as Individuals and Left as a Team”: Special Olympics Team Canada Returns to Calgary for First Training Camp

Special Olympics Team Canada recently held its first in-person training camp in Calgary, marking an important milestone on their journey to the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. This camp brought athletes and coaches back to the city where their path to the world stage began during the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024.

Over the course of four action-packed days, 91 athletes, 24 coaches, five mission staff, and 14 team leadership members had the opportunity to train with their teams on ice and snow while also participating in a variety of development activities. These included Mental Performance Training, Indigenous-led Team Culture Sessions, Safe Sport Training, Health and Nutrition Education, and Fitness Testing.

Reflecting the world-class venues that welcomed athletes during the National Games, the camp was hosted at premier facilities such as the Olympic, WinSport, and Seven Chiefs Sportsplex, with tremendous support from Tourism Calgary in making these elite venues available to the team. 

“Seeing our athletes training at world-class facilities with Olympic athletes in the background is pretty inspiring,” shares Tom Davies, VP of Sport for Special Olympics Canada. “It reinforces the message that our athletes belong on the world stage.”

The familiarity of the facilities and the city played a significant role in the success of the camp, according to Figure Skating Mission Staff Nicole Bonnell.

“There’s a level of comfort coming back here, which allows athletes to focus entirely on their performance,” she shares. “It’s not like traveling to an unfamiliar place, such as Italy. Being in Calgary enables them to engage fully in their training without distractions, helping them prepare even more effectively.”

Named to Special Olympics Team Canada in July, this training camp marked the first time the team members met in person. The excitement was palpable as athletes, who had previously connected only virtually, finally met their teammates and coaches face-to-face. 

Unique to Training Camp #1 was the participation of more than 70 hometown Training Coaches from across the country. These volunteers play a critical role in preparing their local athletes for international competition and ensuring a smooth transition into the national team environment.

“The opportunity to be here with my athletes from Whitehorse, Yukon, is incredible,” shares Training Coach Leeland Hawkings. “I’ve been working with Darby MacIntyre and Owen Munroe through Provincials and Nationals, and now seeing them on Team Canada is amazing. While I won’t be traveling to Turin with the team, being part of this journey and learning from other coaches is invaluable. It’s inspiring to see everyone come together to work toward a common goal.”

Chef de Mission Charity Sheehan recapped her feelings about the weekend, sharing, “This camp was about much more than just training. It was about building connections, fostering resilience, and creating a culture of excellence. Seeing the athletes embrace the challenges and support one another as a unified team has been incredibly inspiring. It’s clear they’re ready to take on the world in Turin.”

For many athletes, the training camp was a chance to focus on their preparation for the upcoming Games while also experiencing personal growth.