Stories

On the eve of the 2014 Special Olympics European Summer Games, a symposium titled "In Search of Innovative Collaboration for Better Inclusion" presented a pivotal study on the employment of people with intellectual disabilities in Belgium.

In compliance with the French Government directives, Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) has adjusted the official competition schedule in response to forecasted extreme heat in Paris from 7 – 9 July.

The footballs are packed. The boots are laced. From training grounds across the world, 324 footballers from 23 nations will gather at the Charléty Stadium in the ‘City of Light’ between 6-11 July to compete for the coveted title.

An experienced team of creators is set to produce high-quality photos, videos and features of the participant delegations during the event from 6 – 11 July.

Every team at the 2026 Unified Football World Cup has a story to tell. In this series, meet the athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and officials whose journeys to Paris are filled with determination, friendship, and inclusion. These stories celebrate the power of football to bring people together, on and off the field.

Long before you see them on the pitch in Paris, Special Olympics Thailand’s women’s football team has been putting in the work; training relentlessly to be at their best, ready to compete for the title of Unified Football World Cup Champion.

Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® Ribbon Cutting Ceremony marks the opening of Healthy Athletes screenings at the 2026 USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Marquel Russell stands near the starting line and does a box jump to relax his muscles. He closes his eyes and lets his body loosen up. It’s important that his body is loose, and his mind is focused so he can get the most out of his run. It’s just seconds before the 100m final at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. He sinks into the starting blocks and ignores all the external factors; it’s just him and the track. He says of the start, “I listen to that boom, then shoo, I go off.”

ESPN visited Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® during the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, speaking with athletes, volunteers, and Special Olympics staff about the seven free, accessible health screening disciplines offered and how each aims to improve athletes’ health and well-being—both for competition and everyday life.

KARE 11 visited Special Olympics Strong Minds to hear from USA Games athletes and volunteers about how the screening aims to address the mental health disparities faced by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

When you meet Kaung Myat San, the first thing you notice is his smile—warm, genuine, and full of energy. At just 23, he’s already become a role model in his community, proving that with determination and talent, anything is possible.

It was a beautiful evening at Huntington Bank Stadium. The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, hosted at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center, have just concluded.