Speed skaters stand in their start position.

Sport and Belonging (S&B): 2019 – 2024  

This inclusive research aimed to learn about how belonging happens for them through participation in Special Olympics organized sports from the perspectives of Special Olympics athletes (18 – 35 years) who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. The research was carried out by a collaborative partners from the University of Toronto and Special Olympics Ontario. The S&B project concluded in March 2024. We invite you to explore the project website and download any materials of interest.  

[Image description: A photograph of four young adult athletes lined up at the start line of a speed skating track. They wear yellow helmets with their athlete numbers painted in black and are all in standing starting positions waiting for the race to begin. White, bolded text that reads “Sport and Belonging (S&B): 2019 – 2024” lies over the photo. A grey square with text reads, “This inclusive research aimed to learn about how belonging happens for them through participation in Special Olympics organized sports from the perspectives of Special Olympics athletes (18 – 35 years) who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. The research was carried out by a collaborative partners from the University of Toronto and Special Olympics Ontario. The S&B project concluded in March 2024. We invite you to explore the project website and download any materials of interest,” lies over the photo.]

Sport and Belonging Project

In our Sport and Belonging project, we asked Special Olympic athletes about their experiences. We needed to make sure our research could be easily understood. We wanted to make sure athletes with different abilities could participate. We also interviewed young adult athletes (ages 18-30). This age group is at risk of losing services and friends when moving from child to adult services. We looked at types of sport play, for example: in and out of Special Olympics; in team or individual sports, in traditional or unified sports. We asked about the four ways that belonging can be found. We wanted to know if these four ways can be experienced in: Special Olympics and in other parts of community life.

Social athletes and coaches celebrating.
[Image description: Special Olympics soccer athletes celebrate with their coaches.]
A softball athlete and coach watch the field.
[Image description: A Special Olympics softball athlete watches the field with his coach.]
Track athletes sprinting.
[Image description: Four Special Olympics track athletes sprint to the finish line.]

Inclusive Research

Belonging

Sport Participation

Read about inclusive research

Explore our belonging framework

Learn about sport participation

The Sport and Belonging Project would like to acknowledge the Connaught Fund at the University of Toronto, which enables us to conduct our research. Our team would also like to thank Robert Bellavia at Bellavia Art for providing us with the logos and design for this project.