PASS Members at the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games
Athletes with intellectual disabilities from across the province proudly competed in Prince George at the Special Olympics BC Summer Games🏅 held from July 10 to 12, 2025!
Over 900 athletes, ages 13 to 72, from 8 regions and 46 communities across British Columbia participated in 10 sports (10-pin bowling, basketball, bocce, golf, rhythmic gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, softball, swimming, and track and field). Among them, 4 were PASS members 💖.
Here are their stories:
Melissa: Returned home with 4 medals!
Melissa is a dedicated member of the Special Olympics Region 5 Rhythmic Gymnastics team, where she has trained and participated for several years. While she has competed in regional competitions before, this year was her first time qualifying for the BC Provincial Special Olympic Games, held every four years.
To prepare, Melissa trained hard to master the five routines she performed at Provincials. Her division included a floor routine, where she earned a 🥈silver medal, and four apparatus routines: ball (🥈silver), hoop (🥈silver), ribbon (🥉bronze), and rope (4th place).
The 10-hour bus ride, late nights, early mornings, and lack of sleep… it was all worth it! She not only earned 4 medals but also gained an incredible experience and unforgettable memories shared with friends.
Ask Melissa what her favorite part was? Please… Obviously the costume!
Dada: A first-timer with 2 medals!
Dada was very nervous about attending his first-ever Provincials. And what an experience it turned out to be! Beyond the medals he earned, he overcame many challenges and shared some of them with us:
It was his first time waking up at 3:00 AM to meet the team, board the bus, and leave Vancouver by 4:30 AM. It was still very dark outside.
His first time taking a road trip over 10 hours long.
His first time traveling without his parents or a one-on-one support worker. He was only accompanied by his coaches and teammates.
It was his first time sleeping not in his own room, but in a shared space with coaches and other athletes. No bed, just an air mattress and sleeping bag on a school floor!
And perhaps the biggest milestone: Dada gradually accepted the meals provided at the event, even though they weren’t his favorites. No home-cooked food, no pizza, no burgers! And yet, he made it work.
We’re so proud of him, and so were his swimming coaches as Dada brought home two 🥉bronze medals in the 25-meter and 50-meter breaststroke events. He also placed 5th in the 25-meter freestyle and 6th in the 50-meter freestyle.Ask Dada what his next goal is, and he says, “I don’t know yet.” Classic Dada😎 guess the sky’s the limit...
Casey’s Record-Setting Run
It wasn’t Casey’s “first time at the rodeo.” He had previously represented Region 5 at the Special Olympics as a standout player on their basketball team. Not only did the team win Nationals, but he also earned the opportunity to compete at the World Games in Los Angeles!
This year, however, he embraced a new challenge by competing with the track and field team in three events: the standing long jump, where he placed 4th with an impressive jump of 1.11 meters; the 200m run, where he came 4th; and the 100m run, clocking 18.54 seconds in the final and a remarkable 17.72 seconds in the qualifiers. In all three events, Casey achieved personal bests🎉🎉🎉 . You’d think that would be enough, but not for Casey. He’s already setting his sights on the next Olympics, determined to do even better!
While Casey values the opportunity to learn new skills and train hard to become a better athlete, he says what truly inspires him to participate in the Special Olympics is the chance to meet people, form connections, and share the entire experience (from competing to trying new things like sleeping on a floor-mattress and eating new foods) with friends and loved ones. That includes his girlfriend, who is also a Special Olympian and a gold medalist at SOBC 2025. #PowerCoupleGoals 🏆🥂
Trevor: “I run fast. I run with Power. I feel Strong. ”
Trevor previously shined at the 2024 Winter Special Olympics held in Calgary, where he brought home gold, silver, and bronze medals in Speed Skating. But he keeps up the speed during the warmer seasons too!
To stay active, he’s been a dedicated participant in Special Olympics BC Region 5’s Track and Field Program for the past few years, which runs from April to June. This year marked his first time competing in the summer provincial games, and what a debut it was!
Not only did Trevor achieve impressive times, but he also brought home a 🥉bronze medal in the 800m run (2:37.72) and placed 7th in the 200m (30.15 sec).
And that’s not all… 🎉Wow!🎉 He scored THE BIG ONE: 🥇gold medal in the 400m run, sweeping the competition with a time of 1:04.42.
When asked about his experience, Trevor smiles shyly and says he hopes to go to the Olympics again.
We don’t just hope, we know he will. And we know that nothing can slow Terrific Trevor down on his run to greatness. 💫
