Press Releases
Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world. Here's what's happening world wide.
Special Olympics Celebrates One Year Countdown to 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, Announces Three-Year BofA Grant and Platinum Partnership
[Washington, D.C. – June 23, 2025] Special Olympics International and Bank of America (BofA) today announced a $5 million grant expanding programs that will help empower athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to serve as leaders in their communities, seek competitive employment, and realize their full potential.
2 Min Read
Special Olympics European Football Week Celebrates 25 Years of Inclusion Through Sport
[Europe - 16 May 2025] Special Olympics Europe Eurasia (SOEE), a regional office of Special Olympics, Inc. (Special Olympics) has announced the start of the 25th edition of European Football Week (EFW 2025), to be celebrated from 17 to 24 May 2025 across 45+ nations in SOEE.
3 Min Read
Special Olympics International Board of Directors Elects Three New Members
[Washington, D.C. – 5 May 2025] The international Board of Directors for Special Olympics elected new members Mrs. JoAnne Bessler, Mr. Mark McCorkle, and Mr. Toby Enqvist.
3 Min Read
Special Olympics Announces Puerto Rico as Host of First-Ever Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup
[San Juan, Puerto Rico - 10 April 2025] Special Olympics International (SOI) announced today that San Juan, Puerto Rico, will be the host site for the very first Special Olympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup, marking the first time in the 56-year history of the global sporting movement that a Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup will take place.
2 Min Read
Special Olympics Launches Landmark Research Agenda at Global Disability Summit, Calls on Governments, Donors to Help Close Knowledge Gaps on Inclusion
[Berlin, Germany - 3 April 2025] – The Special Olympics Global Center for Inclusion in Education today announced the launch of its comprehensive research roadmap, “A Global Research Agenda for Building Inclusive Learning Environments.”
3 Min Read
Toyota Motor Europe Celebrates the Unwavering Spirit of Inclusion at Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025
[Turin, Italy - 14 March 2025] Toyota Motor Europe, Presenting Sponsor and Mobility Partner of World Winter Games Turin 2025, congratulates all Special Olympics athletes on their determination and sportsmanship.
2 Min Read
Atos successfully sides with Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025, the World’s Largest Humanitarian Sporting Event of the Year
[Turin, Italy, March 20, 2025] Atos, a global leader in digital transformation and the key Technology Partner of Special Olympics International for the World Winter Games Turin 2025, today announces it has delivered the critical IT services that helped make the games a success
3 Min Read
Young Athletes Make History at Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025
[Turin, Italy, 12 March 2025] An unforgettable celebration of inclusion and joy united 2,000 children across Italy through Young Athletes, an early childhood play program.
1 Min Read
Henry Schein donates health care products to support Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® screenings at Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 in Turin, Italy
[Melville, NY (USA) – 12 March 2025] Henry Schein, Inc.—the world’s largest provider of health care solutions to office-based dental and medical practitioners—is supporting the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® screenings at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025, that take place from 8 to 15 March 2025 in Turin, Italy.
2 Min Read
Dale Moss and Dr. Seun Adigun Join Unified Sports Experiences at Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025
[Turin, Italy - 10 March 2025] Special Olympics Global Ambassadors Dale Moss and Dr. Seun Adigun competed in snowshoeing and floorball alongside Special Olympics athletes in a Unified Sports Experience at World Winter Games Turin 2025.
2 Min Read
Safilo Group and Special Olympics Renew Long-Standing Partnership Through to 2027
[Padua / Washington, D.C. - March 10, 2025] For over two decades, Safilo Group—one of the eyewear industry’s key players in the design, manufacturing and distribution of prescription frames, sunglasses, outdoor eyewear, goggles, and helmets—and Special Olympics have been changing lives, one pair of glasses at a time. Now, that mission continues.
1 Min Read
2025 Special Olympics World Games Opening Ceremony Kicks Off the World’s Largest Sports and Humanitarian Event of the Year
[Turin, Italy - March 9, 2025] Last night, the “Flame of Hope” was lit in the Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy, marking the official start of the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Italy, the world’s largest sports and humanitarian event of the year.
4 Min Read