The foyer at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Center in Brantford was jammed Thursday afternoon with Special Olympics athletes, their families, and law enforcement officials.
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They gathered for an official announcement that the 2025 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Summer Games are coming to Brantford in July 2025, hosted by the Brantford Police Service, Brant County OPP, and Six Nations Police.
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“I am so excited about this announcement for our communities,” said Brantford Police Deputy Chief Jason Saunders. “Our officers will be honored to be champions of acceptance and inclusion, and it’s a longstanding partnership with Special Olympics and law enforcement that helps us ensure that we have a community where everyone feels safe and accepted.”
Saunders said through a variety of events that include a torch run and polar plunge, law enforcement officers and athletes have been raising awareness for over 35 years.
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“Working together to create change, the upcoming games will not only strengthen the bond we have within our communities but will undoubtedly be an exciting and unforgettable experience for everyone,” he said.
The games are being presented by the Wayne Gretzky Foundation.
“Growing up we had an aunt who had special needs – my dad’s sister – and she really taught us a whole different side of life and what life really means, to be caring, compassionate and helping others,” said Glen Gretzky, executive director of the foundation. “She’ll be in our hearts during this event as well.”
Gretzky said his brother Wayne’s involvement with Special Olympics goes back to when he was in Edmonton in 1981 and would play floor hockey with the kids.
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“I think it’s going to be a great event for the city. Certainly, it’s going to be one of the greatest events I’ve ever been involved in, and I wish my dad was around for it,” Gretzky shared. “He’d be pretty proud of this whole thing.”
Special Olympian Kailee Mitchell told those in attendance that Special Olympics is very important to her and her fellow athletes.
“It allows us to train and learn about different sports,” Mitchell explained. “We learn the importance of being active, working hard to achieve our goals, and helping our friends along the way. Special Olympics also gives us a chance to make good friends and be part of a team.”
Mitchell, age 23 – who is involved in swimming, track and field, basketball and soccer — thanked the volunteers and people in the community who support the athletes and celebrate their accomplishments.
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“We feel extremely lucky to have our community supporting us every step of the way,” shared Mitchell. “To the Brantford area, thank you for making a difference.”
Glenn MacDonell, president and CEO of Special Olympics Ontario, joined the movement 35 years ago, recalling that Brantford was one of the strongest Special Olympics programs at that time, adding that it remains “one of the greatest programs we have.”
MacDonell said he and retired Brantford Police Chief Geoff Nelson connected in 2018 about hosting the provincial event. The 2021 summer games were to have taken place in Brantford, but the pandemic dashed those plans.
“This isn’t just about a sporting event. It’s about making our athletes a bigger part of our community, and we just use sport as the tool,” MacDonell noted.
Nelson said he joined the Special Olympics in 2011, and after many conversations with MacDonell, everyone was keen to have Brantford host the summer games.
“You can tell from the excitement of all the athletes today how important it is to them,” said the retired police chief. “It’s important to us too.”
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