Press Room
Latest Press Release
When Sport Brings People Together: Visit Marks Key Milestone Toward the Special Olympics World Winter Games Switzerland 2029
[Chur, Switzerland – 24 March 2026] The road to the Special Olympics World Winter Games Switzerland 2029 has reached a key milestone this week with the official agreement signing in Chur, Switzerland. From 10 – 17 March 2029, Switzerland will host the 2029 Games, sending a strong message of equality and active inclusion.
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2026 Africa Region Leadership Conference
The Special Olympics Africa Region hosted its 22nd annual Africa Leadership Conference, welcoming 110 delegates from 38 Special Olympics Programs across the continent for four days of collaboration, learning, and strategic alignment. The conference took place in Johannesburg from March 23 to March 26, 2026.
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Special Olympics Enters into Multi-Year Grant Agreement with Toyota Mobility Foundation, Focused on Unified Programming
[Washington, DC, USA – 19 March 2026] Special Olympics announced a three-year grant agreement with Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF), whose mission is to create a truly mobile society that will help people around the world live better lives.
1 Min Read
Empowering the Next Generation: Special Olympics Is Scaling Youth Leadership Globally
[Johannesburg, South Africa - 24 February 2026] Today, the Special Olympics Africa Regional Youth Leadership Summit kicked off in Johannesburg, bringing together youth with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to build leadership skills and strengthen youth-led change across schools and communities.
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Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Face Critical Mental Health Care Gaps, New Study Finds
[Washington, DC - 20 February 2026] Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are over nine times more likely to report a diagnosis of anxiety or depression and experience significantly higher mental health symptom burden, according to a new study published today in JAMA Network Open.
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24 Teams Announced to Compete in the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026
[Paris, France - 19 February 2026] On 19 February, more than 200 Special Olympics athletes, Unified partners (athletes without intellectual disabilities), and media convened at the City Hall in Paris, France for a landmark moment: the official unveiling of the 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams selected to compete in the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026.
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Special Olympics and Paralympics
Special Olympics, the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee are complementary organizations, each one a testimony to the power of sport.
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Speakers Bureau
Thank you for your interest in requesting a speaker from Special Olympics. Special Olympics is a global movement creating a world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of their level of ability.
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Downloadable Photos
Special Olympics keeps a comprehensize and current catalog of downloadable photos on PhotoShelter.
2024 Special Olympics Overview
Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world.
Press Contact
CHRISTY WEIR
Special Olympics International
Vice President, International Media Relations & Communications
+1 202-738-8511
Vice President, International Media Relations & Communications
+1 202-738-8511