Special Olympics Canada
Gail Hamamoto is the Chief Executive Officer at Special Olympics Canada since August 2023. Prior to that, she was the Executive Director at BC Wheelchair Sports Association from August 2012 to August 2023. She has a background in sport development, having served as the Director of Sport Development at BC Wheelchair Sports Association from 1994 to 2012. Gail also has experience as an Executive Technical Director at BC Rhythmic Sportive Gymnastic Federation from 1991 to 1994. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University, a Diploma in Foundations in Applied Design from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The University of British Columbia.
Special Olympics Canada
Established in 1969, the Canadian chapter of this international movement is dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through sport. Operating out of sport clubs in all Canadian provinces and territories, except Nunavut, this grassroots movement reaches beyond the sphere of sports to empower individuals, change attitudes and build communities. From two-year-olds to mature adults, more than 40,000 children, youth and adults with an intellectual disability are registered in Special Olympics year-round programs across Canada, and they are supported by more than 19,000 volunteers, including more than 14,000 trained coaches.