❤️ OPP TO HOST 2027 SPECIAL OLYMPICS ONTARIO SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIPS AS IT WRAPS UP ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL GUARDIANS RUN
ORILLIA, ON) – Law enforcement and community members joined forces today during the annual Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Guardians Run in Orillia, raising just over $40,000 in support of Special Olympics Ontario.
The OPP has long been a proud supporter of Special Olympics athletes and is pleased to announce that it will host the 2027 Special Olympics Ontario School Championships in Orillia. More than 300 students and educators from across the province will represent their schools in sport competition.
Next year’s championships will provide young people the opportunity to compete, learn and grow together in an inclusive environment. As planning begins, community members, organizations and businesses are encouraged to learn more and support our athletes, whether through fundraising, sponsorship or volunteer opportunities.
In addition to supporting athletes through fundraising, the OPP is excited to launch the Special Olympics Ambassador Program. The program is a new partnership between the OPP and Special Olympics Ontario to support the placement of up to 20 athletes as ambassadors within OPP detachments across the province. Ambassadors will be provided with meaningful work-related experiences, community engagement and mentorship opportunities.
Together, we can help create opportunities for athletes to reach their full potential and build a lasting legacy of inclusion in Ontario.
For more information or to support Special Olympics Ontario, please visit schoolchamps.ca.
QUOTES
“The OPP’s partnership with Special Olympics Ontario is one of the longest-standing relationships in our organization. Special Olympics Ontario, through sport, empowers young athletes to build confidence, develop leadership skills, create lasting friendships and experience a true sense of belonging. We are honoured to strengthen this special partnership through initiatives like the Guardians Run, a new Ambassador Program, and by hosting the 2027 Ontario School Championships in Orillia.”
– OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique
“The School Championships are much more than a sporting event – they are a celebration of inclusion, acceptance and belonging. Every year, thousands of students across Ontario experience the power of unified sport to bring people together, break down barriers and build school communities where everyone can thrive. We are incredibly grateful to the OPP for making these championships possible and bringing this incredible event to Orillia. Together, we’re not just creating an unforgettable championship, we’re building a more inclusive Ontario, one school and one student at a time.”
– Special Olympics Ontario CEO Cody Jansma
