- When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?
- Ashley has been a dedicated Special Olympics athlete for 17 years. When she moved to B.C. from Winnipeg, she got involved in Special Olympics swimming, and her mother took on the important volunteer role of Local Coordinator.
- “Now I participate in most of the summer and winter sports all of the time,” Ashley says. “I am so happy and love being so involved with Special Olympics. I am busy all of the time. I look forward to going, trying my best, playing golf, and being with all of the other athletes.”
- What sports do you participate in?
- Ashley competes in golf, track and field, soccer, curling, softball, basketball, and bocce. She’s also a committed participant in the Club Fit fitness training program.
- She is known as a determined competitor who doesn’t quit!
- Ashley competes in golf, track and field, soccer, curling, softball, basketball, and bocce. She’s also a committed participant in the Club Fit fitness training program.
- What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date? / What are some of your biggest achievements in Special Olympics so far?
- Ashley says her favourite Special Olympics experience to date is winning a gold medal competing in golf at the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George. “It made me so happy. I had been to Provincial Winter Games twice before for curling, but I was so excited to go to the Provincial Summer Games for golf. This is the best I have done so far. Everyone is so excited for me.”
- What competitions have you been part of recently and/or upcoming?
- Through her success in the 2025 SOBC Games, Ashley earned the opportunity to advance to the National Games level and represent our province with pride in the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, set to be held August 11 to 15 in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
- The 2026 SOC Games will be Ashley’s first National Games!
- “I just want to play my best and have a wonderful time with all of the other athletes. I will learn and see what everyone else is doing,” Ashley says. “Yes, a win would be great, but I do know that there are so many great athletes out there.”
- “She’s been practicing steadily and is ready for the challenge,” Ashley’s family said.
- Learn more about Ashley and Special Olympics Team BC 2026: https://www.specialolympics.bc.ca/so-team-bc-2026-profiles/ashley-thompson/
- Through her success in the 2025 SOBC Games, Ashley earned the opportunity to advance to the National Games level and represent our province with pride in the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, set to be held August 11 to 15 in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
- What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?
- Ashley and her family always talk about Special Olympics and always ask their friends and their families to join in on the sports.
- A bit more about Ashley
- “I love sports and like to do all that I can. … I am very smart but also very quiet, so people don’t know how smart I am.”
- Ashley is well known as a quiet, steady presence who gives her time and support to help all the fundraising and awareness events that SOBC – Oceanside runs. She also volunteers in other community roles, and participates in a wide range of local programs and activities.
- The Special Olympics BC – Oceanside golf program has been very successful and very supportive of Ashley and her fellow athletes, benefitting from amazing support from the community. In 2024, SOBC – Oceanside hosted the Golf Regional Qualifier where Ashley earned the opportunity to advance to Provincial Games in Prince George. She returned in 2025 with a GOLD medal, and is now preparing to go to Medicine Hat this August for the National Summer Games.
Special Olympics BC is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and building inclusion through the power and joy of sport.
In 55 communities around the province, including 10 right here on Vancouver Island, Special Olympics provides year-round sport, youth, and health programs and empowering competitions to more than 3,400 athletes with intellectual disabilities of all ages and a wide range of ability levels.
Athletes access Special Olympics BC’s life-changing programs and competitions at low or no cost, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our 2,200 coaching and organizing volunteers, and the generous support of our sponsors and donors.
They are always in need of volunteers! To get involved, click HERE