For the past 26 years, Special Olympics Manitoba has provided positive, successful experiences through sport for thousands of persons with a mental disability across the province. Through their involvement in the programs of Special Olympics, many persons with an intellectual disability have benefited physically, socially, psychologically, and emotionally. The programs of Special Olympics provide a stepping-stone to community integration, education, employment opportunities and a sense of belonging in the community. What follows are the organizations milestones.
| 2006 |
Brandon is the host of the 2006 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games. This is the first National Games to take place in Manitoba.
Eight Manitoba athletes and one coach are selected to travel with Team Canada to the 2007 World Games.
Winnipeg hosts the National Team Training Camp for the Team Canada athletes attending the 2007 World Games in Shanghai.
Manitoba wins National “Male Coach of the Year” (Gord Stewart), Female Coach of the Year (Heather Todoschuk) and “Team of the Year” (Shilo Gunners) honours. Dr. Jennifer Mactavish receives the Harry Red Foster Award. |
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| 2005 |
Special Olympics Manitoba celebrates its 25th Anniversary.
Brandon, Manitoba hosts the Provincial Summer Games. It is the first time the Summer Games have been held outside Winnipeg.
84 athletes and 25 coaches and Mission Staff are named to Team Manitoba who will attend the 2006 National Summer Games in Brandon.
4 athletes and a coach are named to represent Manitoba at the 2005 Canada Games in Regina.
Manitoba hosts the Special Olympics Canada National Conference.
Manitoba wins three National Awards including, Ian Sheppard, “Male Athlete of the Year”, Brita Hall, “Female Athlete of the Year” and Joyce Witsyhyn “Female Coach of the Year”. |
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| 2004 |
A one in one hundred year blizzard fails to put a damper on the 2004 National Winter Games held in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Led by Chef De Mission Jennifer Campbell, 54 athletes and 22 coaches and mission staff compete in seven sports
Five athletes and two coaches are selected to the Canadian Team competing in World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan
Heavy Evason wins the Great West Life (Sport Manitoba) Volunteer of the Year Award |
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| 2003 |
Brandon, Manitoba is announced as the location for the 2006 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games. This is the first time the Games will be held in Manitoba
Special Olympics takes a new look as it changes its name to Special Olympics Manitoba, renovates the office and develops a new logo
Ashlee McLeod won four gold medals at World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland. Jack Hess attends the games as a Global Messenger for Special Olympics Incorporated
Five athletes, a coach and a manager represent Manitoba at the 2003 Western Canada Games in Selkirk |
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| 2002 |
The first Winnipeg Wine Festival Fund Raiser is held raising over $70,000 for Manitoba Special Olympics
Jack Hess is selected as a global messenger by Special Olympics International. Jack is the first Manitoba athlete named and is one of twelve worldwide
Manitoba Special Olympics changes its name to Special Olympics Manitoba |
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| 2001 |
Manitoba places 38% of the athletes on the Canadian Team attending the World Winter Games in Anchorage, Alaska |
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| 2000 |
MSO celebrates 20 "Years of Heroes" |
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| 1999 |
Manitoba sends 13 athletes and 4 coaches to the International Special Olympics World Summer Games in Raleigh, North Carolina |
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| 1997 |
The first Manitoba Moose dinner in support of Special Olympics is held
Four athletes and two coaches attend the North American Indigenous Games in Victoria B.C. for the first time |
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| 1996 |
MSO, St Amant and the Leisure and Human Performance Institute co-sponsor the first St Amant Conference focusing on Development Disabiltiies
The first Special Olympics Honourary Board is formed |
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| 1995 |
Manitoba Special Olympics celebrates its fifteenth anniversary
Manitoba hosts the first CSO-NCCP Level 2 course
The first Sports Celebrity Festival fundraiser is held |
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| 1992 |
The Special Olympics Coaching Association (SOCA) is formed |
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| 1990 |
Special Olympics athletes compete in the Western Canada Games for the first time |
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| 1989 |
The Medallion Program is introduced
Bill Forrest and Heather Gudmundson become the first Manitoba coaches to receive the Special Olympics Canada male and female Coach of the Year Award |
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| 1988 |
Manitoba Special Olympics participates in the Manitoba Summer Games for the first time
The first Law Enforcement Torch Run is held in support of Special Olympics raising $115,000.00
Special Olympics opens an office in Brandon |
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| 1987 |
The first MSO Provincial Winter Games are held in Minnedosa
The first Youth Sports day is held in Winnipeg |
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| 1986 |
Flin Flon and The Pas Regional Councils are formed
Westman Region Special Olympics becomes the first region to affiliate with a Regional Sport Association
Manitoba Special Olympics participates in the Manitoba Winter Games for the first time
MSO athletes participate in the Manitoba High Schools Track meet for the first time |
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| 1985 |
Manitoba Special Olympics becomes a full member of the Manitoba Sports Federation
Eastman and Thompson Regional Councils are formed
The first SOC-NCCP Level 1 Technical Course is conducted
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| 1984 |
Interlake and Westman Regional Councils are formed
Michelle Roy and John Lavalle receive Commonwealth Awards from her Royal Highness Elizabeth II
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| 1983 |
Manitoba Special Olympics opens Summer Camp in Grand Marais
The first Pee Wee program is formed
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| 1982 |
The Provincial Summer Games grows from one sport and 125 athletes to seven sports and 365 athletes as the result of the Variety Club of Manitoba - Tent 58 sponsorship |
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| 1981 |
Special Olympics athletes from Manitoba attend the Special Olympics International Winter Games for the first time. |
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| 1980 |
Manitoba Special Olympics is incorporated
First ever Winter Games are held in Winnipeg
First Provincial Program Committee is formed
Winnipeg Region Special Olympics Council is formed |
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| 1979 |
Fourteen Manitoba athletes and 2 coaches attend the International Special Olympics Games in Brockport, New York |
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| 1978 |
120 athletes attend a track meet in Winnipeg
Manitoba athletes travel to Regina for the 1st Special Olympics Canada Summer Games. |
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