2023 Special Olympics Ontario School Championships Begin Tomorrow in Kingston!

After a long 4-year hiatus, the Special Olympics Ontario School Championships will officially open tomorrow, Tuesday, June 6^th with Opening Ceremonies hosted at Queens University Athletic Centre from 7:30pm – 9:00pm. 

Kingston Police are proud hosts of the event and Acting Chief Scott Fraser will serve as the Honorary Chair of the Games.  “We cannot wait to welcome over 1,000 Special Olympics athletes to Kingston for the Games.  Kingston Police believes in the power of sport and are champions of acceptance and inclusion.  To that end, we wish everyone luck in their competitions and more importantly: have fun!”

Special Olympics Ontario is also proud to announce that MPP Dave Smith (Peterborough – Kawartha) will participate in the Opening Ceremonies in his role as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.  Glenn MacDonell, President & CEO of Special Olympics Ontario, stated “we are extremely grateful to have received such great support from the provincial government in past and current events and appreciate PA Smith’s attendance at the School Championships which demonstrates the commitment and appreciation the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has the for the amazing athletes of Special Olympics Ontario.”

“Sport should be equitable, diverse and inclusive – athletes should be safe and welcomed from all backgrounds and abilities,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “That is why the Ontario government is excited to support Special Olympics Ontario in its mission to promote respect, acceptance and inclusion for athletes with intellectual disabilities – and to welcome back the School Championships after four years.”

Over 1,000 high-school aged athletes with an intellectual disability will participate in 5 sports (Floor Hockey, Basketball, Soccer, Bocce and Track & Field) over 2 days in Kingston. Originally scheduled for June 2020, these Championships mark a significant milestone for Kingston, as it proudly hosts its first-ever School Championships event. Notably, the Kingston Police Service, in collaboration with the Ontario Provincial Police, previously co-hosted the immensely successful 2012 Special Olympics Provincial Spring Games.

The 2023 Special Olympics Ontario School Championships will take place across the city of Kingston. For more information about the Games and how to get involved, please visit: www.schoolchamps.ca