Students at I.F. Cox School in Redcliff, Alberta, are getting ready to welcome athletes to the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in nearby Medicine Hat this summer. The young students created a banner that will be on display during the Games and made bracelets to go into welcome packages for the athletes.
Representatives from Special Olympics Alberta visited the Kindergarten to Grade 3 school to help the children learn about the event and what it means for athletes from across Canada. Misty, Cara, and Gavin shared their experiences and answered questions, giving students a personal connection to the Games.
The 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games run from August 11 to 15 in Medicine Hat, bringing together about 1,700 participants competing in 10 sports, including athletics, basketball, bocce, golf, powerlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming, and tenpin bowling. Organizers expect around 3,500 spectators and say the event will generate more than $10 million in economic impact for southeast Alberta.
The Games are still looking for volunteers, with more than 1,500 needed to help everything run smoothly. Anyone interested can sign up through the Medicine Hat 2026 Games website. All events, including the opening ceremonies, are free for the public to attend, but seating is limited, so registration is recommended on the Family and Friends Program page.
This is the first time in 34 years that the national Special Olympics summer event has been held in Alberta. For the students at I.F. Cox School, their banner and bracelets are a small but meaningful way to show support and make the visiting athletes feel at home in the region.
