Kara Brake (right) accepts the Special Olympics flag at the closing ceremonies for the 2024 Canada Winter Games in Calgary on Saturday.--SUBMITTED PHOTO COURTESY TODD KOROL
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
The flag has been handed off and the countdown is on toward the 2026 Special Olympics Summer Games in Medicine Hat after local organizers returned from the national winter games in Calgary last week.
Ten local officials attended the games to observe the major event in operation, connect with their counterparts and get a full picture of what’s needed to get Medicine Hat’s hosting of the national event off smoothly.
As is tradition, Hatters accepted the Special Olympics flag at the closing ceremonies on Saturday night later stating they are inspired by the sportsmanship and dedication of the athletes, and ready to stage a fantastic event themselves.
“Medicine Hat has what it takes between the volunteers and facilities,” said Natalie Sauer, an organizer with the Medicine Hat Games committee, which won the right to host the August 11-15, 2026 games.
“The question we’ve asked ourselves all along is how do we create a lasting legacy for people with intellectual disabilities,” said Sauer. “That includes an experience for the athletes, bolstering both inclusion and support of the local chapter of Special Olympics Medicine Hat (a separate entity from the Games Committee).”
At the Calgary games, local five-pin bowler Brielle Granger won a gold medal among a local contingent of four bowlers with Marie Desmaris, Sinjin Soper and Christine Sullivan. Soper was honoured with receiving the games torch.
For organizers, they return to work on large logistical and hosting plans, as well as a sports program and fundraising.
The local event has a budget of $2.7 million, and with 1,500 athletes plus family, staff and coaches, the economic effect could be worth much more to the local economy. Calgary organizers estimated 4,000 visitors related to the eight-event winter games.
Medicine Hat will stage 10 events in the summer edition, including large-scale events in aquatics, track and field, large team events for basketball, soccer and softball, along with bocce, golf, rhythmic gymnastics, power lifting and 10-pin bowling.
“It will probably be the largest event that we’ll have held here in decades considering the level of competition, and the national (aspect),” said Sauer.
Medicine Hat hosted the Alberta Winter Games in 2016, filling Co-op Place for the opening ceremonies, but in terms of organizing, the Special Olympics bring new requirements.
One major difference is athletes will be housed in hotels with chaperones, family members or coaches rather than in schools converted to dorms as was done in previous games, said Sauer.
Since it is a national games rather that a provincial or regional event, the federal government will be involved, along with the province, and not only sport organizations from Alberta but from all 10 provinces.
The committee will also reach out to the local French-speaking community for help during the event, but will launch a substantial volunteer drive for a variety of positions closer to the event.
Fundraising needs as well will be subject of a public campaign in the coming months.
“We’ve been very active for two years, but we’re not there yet,” Sauer said.
Anyone interested in senior volunteering opportunities or wishing to make a donation should contact the committee via email at admin@socmedhat2026.ca.
