Ottawa athlete training hard for 2023 Special Olympics

When you first meet Jacob, you can’t help but notice his huge smile and his boundless enthusiasm for his role as an athlete representing Ottawa in the Special Olympics.

“I’ve met some really great friends and I’ve learned how to do something better than I ever did before,” he said, adding that he’s even taken the gold in a few competitions over the years.

Police services across the province, and Canada, have always been heavily invested in supporting Special Olympics to help create sports programs for all people with intellectual disabilities. It’s a great way to develop an inclusive society where everyone has a chance to participate. Here in Ottawa, countless Ottawa Police Service (OPS) volunteers run events like Cops and Cowboys, this weekend's Polar Plunge, and the Torch Run to raise money for the city’s programs, as well as support our Olympic athletes.

Jacob currently competes in the swimming category for the Games, and this year, with the help of his coach Michele, he’s learning the butterfly stroke.

“I was very excited when I met coach Michele,” said Jacob, who plans to expand his roster to include competing in cross-country skiing this year. But he’s also competed in basketball and floor hockey, too.

His mother Chantal, and dad Bruce, are the reason why Jacob is the healthy, happy person he is today.

“Jacob has been taking swimming lessons since he was born,” said Chantal. “We wanted him to know how to swim for fun and for his personal safety.”

At a very early age both parents saw the benefit of engaging their son in sports, and Chantal was instrumental in getting him on board with the Special Olympics.

She credits the countless volunteers who have supported our city’s athletes, including OPS Community Police Officer Megan Arbuthnot.

“The best part of any day is spending time with Jacob,” said Cst. Arbuthnot. “Investments into Special Olympics really help to create an inclusive community, the type I’m proud to be a part of.”

Jacob met Cst. Arbuthnot at an Ottawa Senators’ hockey game (Jacob is a huge hockey fan and also plays with the Ottawa Bandits, which are proudly sponsored by the Ottawa Police Association), and they’ve been friends ever since.

“Megan is a very nice woman and I enjoyed learning about the Ottawa Police,” said Jacob. “It was especially fun to be an officer for a day; they made me feel important.”

Together with Cst. Arbuthnot and countless other police members, Jacob participated in the Torch Run this past September in advance of the launch of the Special Olympics in 2023.

“She was the one who invited me to ride my bike with her, and she ran with me the whole way,” said Jacob.

When he’s not playing sports, Jacob is an avid musician, playing drums, bass and electric guitars.

As for his plans going forward? He’s looking forward to seeing all his friends during all of the Special Olympics competitions and social gatherings.

“It’s really great to see all the athletes we’ve known through the years, as well as the volunteers like Megan at the annual breakfast,” said mom Chantal.

“All of the competitors really put their all into what they do and the sports they play,” said Cst. Arbuthnot. “They really deserve our support.”

To learn how you can donate or volunteer with the Special Olympics, please visit their website, and get ready to cheer on our athletes (and Jacob) as they compete in 2023 in Berlin.