Over 900 athletes gather in Brantford for 2025 Provincial Special Olympics

Athletes from all over Ontario are gathering in Brantford this weekend to take part in the 2025 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Summer Games.

The Brantford Police Service, in partnership with Six Nations Police and the Ontario Provincial Police, are welcoming athletes from across Ontario to the City of Brantford.

Athletes will compete in a variety of sports, including: long jump, running, shot put and high jump, just to name a few.

These games are the pinnacle of competition for Special Olympics athletes in Ontario and a celebration of the incredible abilities of individuals with an intellectual disability.

The 2025 Provincial Summer Games are presented by the Wayne Gretzky Foundation.

For these athletes, it’s not just about winning, but also about community and building long lasting relationships.

Some contestants say they are able to reunite with friends at the Games, and to connect with such a friendly community.

But the Provincial Summer games with the Special Olympics are also about some friendly competition.

“I’m extremely proud of them as a parent,” said one mom who was at the Games Friday, rooting for her son. “Seeing him give his best, give his all meeting new friends. I love that as well, and I love the confidence that the Special Olympics has brought out in him.”

Over 900 athletes from across Ontario are competing in the Ontario Special Olympics Summer Games in Brantford, including the son of astronaut Dave Williams.

“Well, my son Evan is having a fantastic time competing in the Special Olympics,” said Williams. “He’s been doing track and field for years, he also plays basketball, does bowling and soccer. So he’s very, very active.”

“And I’m thrilled to see all the athletes who are here today competing,” he said.

“It’s all about the athletes,” said one of the Games organizers. “The athletes make a lot of friends every year – they see each other once to three times a year, and they just love being around each other.”

The athletes competing at the games will have the opportunity to go on and compete in the Canadian Games in Medicine Hat, Alta., next year and then the World Games in Chile two years from now.

READ MORE: Local police, OPP take Polar Plunge in Brantford to support Special Olympics