Athlete Christine Sullivan speaks about how excited she is for the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games to be coming to her hometown of Medicine Hat, Aug. 11-15, 2026.--Photo Courtesy Special Olympics Canada Medicine Hat
Medicine Hat is less than a year away from hosting the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.
Monday kicked off the countdown for the national games coming to Medicine Hat as the one-year mark as preparations are in full swing for the largest sporting event in the city’s history.
The Games, running Aug. 11-15, 2026, will see 1,700 participants, “at least 1,200 volunteers” and friends and families diverge on the city. Medicine Hat was slated to host the 2022 games before COVID-19 forced a cancellation and change of dates.
The organizing committee has been in works since 2017 when the bid process began as outlined by Games organizing committee chairman Brian Varga.
“We’ve been working on it for a lot of years, so we’re happy to take it on,” Varga said in a release. “And, we’re going to try and make it the best that it can be.
“We’re going to be up for the challenge.”
The committee includes a small staff with dozens of volunteers, a number that will rise as the Games approach with the needs from food services, to running 10 sports and social media sharing all needing volunteer support.
The Special Olympics Summer Games Committee says sponsors and donations are needed for the multi-sport event with a budget nearing $4 million according to a release. Information on those opportunities can be found at socmedhat2-26.ca.
“We hope that as many people come out as possible to help us, make this the best event ever for Medicine Hat,” Varga said. “The biggest thing for the volunteers is that they come and have fun with the athletes over the six-day period.”
Local athletes Christine Sullivan recently competed at the Alberta provincial championships in Grande Prairie, winning three medals. She shared her excitement for the national games to come to Medicine Hat.
“I’m very happy,” said Sullivan, a veteran of numerous national and international Special Olympics competitions in powerlifting, swimming and bowling. “I’m really proud we’re having it.
“It’s going to be really good.”
Sullivan, like all other local athletes, will have to qualify as an athlete or serve in the athlete ambassador program. Sullivan says she’s looking forward to catching up with friends from across the country at the Games.
“I’m hoping they have a good time in Medicine Hat,” she said. “I just want to tell them, enjoy Medicine Hat and … have lots of fun.”
