Paul Wilson

2022 Honouree – Builder, Special Olympics

Paul Wilson started his volunteer work with Brantford Special Olympics in 1987 after his daughter, Christine, became a member of this organization. At that time, Wilson was the President of the Brantford Track and Field Club where his two sons were members. He soon began to see that a few Special Olympians could benefit from sport competition. Together with other communities, Wilson encouraged Special Olympics athletes to attend Ontario track meets. As the track meets became more popular, Wilson realized the other sports that Brantford Special Olympics offered could also benefit from competition.

Wilson continues to ensure there is competition for swimming, track and field, bocce, soccer, golf, softball, bowling, powerlifting, snow shoeing, curling and basketball for Special Olympic athletes. Over the years, Brantford has produced many Provincial, National and World Class athletes and teams.

During his 30+ years of volunteering, Wilson has been a coach, sport tech, board member and also the Special Olympics’ Community Coordinator from 1987 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2016. In 2013, Wilson was honored to receive the George Jones Memorial Award for Lifetime Sports Volunteerism from the Brantford Sports Council. In 2017, he also received the award from Ontario Special Olympics for his 30 years of dedicated service to Special Olympics.

Paul Wilson is, and will always be, well known and appreciated throughout the Special Olympics Ontario organization and fully committed to their motto: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”