The increase puts Sport Canada's funding for Special Olympic Canada at $2.8 million (£1.7 million/€2.1 million) per year, which will help Special Olympic athletes excel in sport and achieve their dreams, according to Gosal.

"Special Olympics Canada is thrilled with today's announcement by Minister Gosal," said Sharon Bollenbach, chief executive of Special Olympics Canada.

"The commitment to provide this funding on an ongoing basis allows Special Olympics Canada and the 12 provincial/territorial Chapters to deliver sport programmes to even more Canadians with an intellectual disability.

"The support of our federal government is integral to the ability and success of Special Olympics to positively impact the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through sport.

"We thank them for their support on behalf of our athletes and their families, our volunteers, and our coaches."

Approximately five per cent of Canadians with an intellectual disability are registered with Special Olympics Canada ©Toronto Star/Getty Images



Special Olympics Canada was established in 1969 and has been dedicated to the enrichment of the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through the transformative power and joy of sport ever since.

In 2012, Special Olympics Canada launched a five-year strategic plan which aims to broaden the delivery of high-impact, cost effective, community-based programmes for athletes with an intellectual disability.

Currently, five per cent of Canadians with an intellectual disability are registered with Special Olympics Canada with the organisation dedicated to increasing these numbers.

It believes that this increase in finding will provide a real boost for these aspirations to be met.

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