Thirteen Special Olympics athletes from Peterborough returned from the Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat, Alta., with a combined 24 medals after competition held Aug. 11 to 15. Competing as part of Team Ontario, the group won 14 gold, five silver and five bronze medals across athletics, bocce ball, bowling, soccer and swimming.
Medal haul and athletes
The Peterborough delegation included Tessa Scates, Breanne MacKenzie, Steve Caban, Michael Brioux, Kristen Lackey, Miriam McHugh, Candace Bushie, Gillian McHugh, Hayley (or Haley) Fowler, Gaerrisen Freeland, Blair Bastien, Dalton Davis and Dylan Armstrong. Results by sport were reported as follows.
| Sport | Notable Peterborough results |
|---|---|
| Athletics (track and field) | Gaerrisen Freeland — two gold, two bronze |
| Bocce ball | Dalton Davis — one gold (coach Al Brioux) |
| Bowling (10-pin) | Mike Brioux — three gold, one silver |
| Soccer | Men's: Dylan Armstrong — one silver (playing with Brampton); Women's combined Ontario/Québec team — gold (players from Peterborough included Candace Bushie, Haley Fowler, Gillian McHugh, Miriam McHugh, Kristin Lackey) |
| Swimming | Tessa Scates — two gold, one silver, one bronze; Breanne McKenzie — one gold, one silver, two bronze; Steve Caban — one silver (coach Debbie Quinlan) |
Coaches and athletes reflect on the experience
Swimming head coach Debbie Quinlan highlighted the athletes' pride in representing their community and Team Ontario. She said:
“The athletes represented Peterborough, their families, their coaches and Team Ontario with tremendous pride. Their accomplishments on and off the field, pool and court are something our entire community can celebrate.”
Several athletes described the Games as a chance to compete and to connect. One competitor said it was enjoyable to play alongside athletes from Québec and from Peterborough, while another praised the volunteers and new friendships formed at the national event.
Local impact and next steps
The results underline the strength of Peterborough’s Special Olympics programming across multiple sports and the role of local coaches and volunteers in supporting athletes at a national level. The medal count — 14 gold, five silver, five bronze — will likely be a focal point for local clubs and fundraising efforts as they plan training and travel for future competitions.
- Delegation size: 13 athletes from Peterborough.
- Medal total: 24 (14 gold, five silver, five bronze).
- Sports represented: athletics, bocce, bowling, soccer, swimming.
Coaches and families in Peterborough now have a record of performances to inform upcoming seasons and to celebrate the athletes’ national-level achievements.
