Change lives and break barriers through the power and joy of sport!
Join the Sports Celebrities Festival presented by Wheaton Precious Metals in empowering Special Olympics BC athletes with intellectual disabilities and strengthening inclusion across our province.
This elegant, inspiring gala brings together B.C. sport and business leaders with Special Olympics BC athletes to create courage, confidence, and community through the power and joy of sport.
Over its 27-year history, the Sports Celebrities Festival has become known for its powerful demonstration of inclusion and respect for athletes with intellectual disabilities, and its far-reaching impact, having raised more than $11 million to date.
The Sports Celebrities Festival changes lives and builds inclusion by helping Special Olympics BC offer low- to no-cost year-round programs and competitive opportunities that empower athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities in more than 55 communities across the province.
Too often, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are left on the sidelines, resulting in painful impacts on their lives, health, and communities. Special Olympics BC and the Sports Celebrities Festival use the power of sport and joy of sport to open hearts and minds towards people with intellectual disabilities and create life-changing opportunities for Special Olympics athletes all across British Columbia.
Supporters are helping Special Olympics BC athletes play the sports they love and breaking down barriers by putting their abilities in the spotlight!
Meet the 2025 Champions of Inclusion
The Sports Celebrities Festival is grateful to have incredible sport leaders attend who are changing lives and breaking barriers through the power and joy of sport.
Meet our keynote speaker, Canadian Olympic swimming champion Penny Oleksiak, and other champions of inclusion!
About Special Olympics BC
Special Olympics BC offers opportunities to train and compete in 18 sports through year-round programs and local, provincial, national, and international competitions. Through these sports, the athletes gain more than just physical benefits from improved health and athletic abilities. Through their participation, they develop social skills and friendships while experiencing the joy of achieving goals and increasing their self-esteem.
“After joining Special Olympics, I have found much more motivation to compete and try hard.”
-Matthew Burns, SOBC – Mission athlete
Highlights from past events
2024
Watch Special Olympics BC athlete Ariel Taylor and her mother Tina Taylor speak at the 2024 gala.
2023
Watch Special Olympics BC athlete Cory Duhaime and his father Michael Duhaime speak at the 2023 gala.
2022
Watch Special Olympics BC athlete Katherine St. Amand speak at the 2022 gala.
2021
Enjoy the inspiration and entertainment in our second virtual show.
2020
Watch our star-studded and fun first virtual broadcast.
2019
Watch Special Olympics athlete Michael Langridge and Brandon Sutter inspire at the 2019 gala.
2018
Read the event recap of the 2018 gala.
2017
Watch Special Olympics athlete Alex Pang and Brandon Sutter impress at the 2017 gala.
2016
Watch Special Olympics athlete Frances Collison of Creston and Brandon Sutter inspire the audience at the 2016 gala.
2015
Read our event recap from the memorable 2015 gala.
