Countdown on for Special olympics Summer Games 2026 in Medicine Hat
The torch has been passed and the countdown is on for one of Medicine Hat’s largest ever multi-sport events.
A contingent of seven volunteers from Medicine Hat’s organizing committee was in Calgary this past week to observe the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games and learn what’s in store for the Gas City in two years’ time. Medicine Hat will host the summer version of the national event Aug. 11-15, 2026.
“We got to see behind the scenes,” said Director of Administration Natalie Sauer. “We all came home going wow, there is a lot of work ahead of us.”
In the same breath, Sauer has no doubt Hatters are up to the challenge of hosting more than 1,500 athletes plus thousands more visitors.
“We’ve got this,” said Sauer. “Medicine Hat has what it takes between the volunteers and facilities. We know we can give them a fantastic experience when they come here in two years.”
From transportation to accommodation, food and other services, the 2026 games will be a massive undertaking. Volunteers are already needed for higher level positions, and anyone interested should email admin@socmedhat2026.ca. A bigger volunteer drive will begin closer to the event.
Medicine Hat sent four athletes to compete in Calgary this past week, with Alberta’s 5-pin bowling team including Marie Desmaris, Sinjin Soper, Christine Sullivan and Brielle Granger. Granger won a gold medal in her division, and Soper got to receive the torch at the closing ceremonies Saturday night. Kristen Sept, president of Medicine Hat Special Olympics (which is a separate entity to the 2026 organizing committee), was part of the Alberta mission staff, while Shirley Maurer served as a coach.
From the 2026 committee, Kara Brake was on stage at the closing ceremonies to receive the Special Olympics flag.
As Sauer notes, the athletes are always the focus of the Special Olympics movement, and there’s a ton of support behind them.
“In the end we want to strengthen all things around people with intellectual disabilities,” said Sauer. “We all do this for the benefit of the athletes.”