RJ Nealon
RJ Nealon, Special Olympics North America Communications Specialist, is an athlete reporter, University of Alabama alumnus and former ESPN intern.
Content By This Author
Athlete Officials Set the Standard at Upcoming USA Games
For one week in June, Special Olympics athletes from across the United States will gather in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. While the athletes will get most of the spotlight, and rightfully so, for their athletic achievements, there’s another distinct group of indivdiuals with intellectual disabilities coming to the USA Games.
4 Min Read
Athlete Officials Set the Standard at Upcoming USA Games
For one week in June, Special Olympics athletes from across the United States will gather in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. While the athletes will get most of the spotlight, and rightfully so, for their athletic achievements, there’s another distinct group of indivdiuals with intellectual disabilities coming to the USA Games.
4 Min Read
Las Vegas Middle School Earns First Banner Recognition in the State
Inside Victoria Fertitta Middle School, celebration isn’t just filling the gym—it’s filling every corner of the campus. After years of intentional work to ensure every student feels seen, invited, and valued, the school is marking a milestone: national recognition for inclusion. The school will be recognized by ESPN and Special Olympics North America as a National Banner school. National Banner status is one of the highest honors a school can earn through Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools®—recognizing campuses where inclusion isn’t occasional but embedded in daily culture.
3 Min Read
Las Vegas Middle School Earns First Banner Recognition in the State
Inside Victoria Fertitta Middle School, celebration isn’t just filling the gym—it’s filling every corner of the campus. After years of intentional work to ensure every student feels seen, invited, and valued, the school is marking a milestone: national recognition for inclusion. The school will be recognized by ESPN and Special Olympics North America as a National Banner school. National Banner status is one of the highest honors a school can earn through Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools®—recognizing campuses where inclusion isn’t occasional but embedded in daily culture.
3 Min Read
German-Born Stefanie Curtis Prepares to Compete at Special Olympics USA Games
Stefanie Curtis had a different path to Special Olympics. Growing up in Berlin, Germany, there was no local programming for Special Olympics, so she found other ways to stay active as an adolescent.
2 Min Read
Special Olympics Athletes Advocate on Capitol Hill
From February 9 – 10, in Washington, D.C., Special Olympics athletes from 49 U.S. Programs attended more than 365 meetings with their members of Congress, advocating for continued partnership to support the organization’s work in health and education.
3 Min Read
Inclusion Revolution Radio Takes on MetLife Stadium
Instead of being in a studio and behind a microphone, we’re on the ground at MetLife Stadium for the Unified Flag Football Championships presented by Special Olympics New York and the New York Jets.
1 Min Read
Healthy Athletes and Home Runs: Bringing Health and Sports Together at SONA Softball Championship
Imagine being an athlete ready to compete at the highest level, but you're distracted by a throbbing mouth from tooth pain.
3 Min Read
Kay Center Provides Employment and Sport Opportunities to People with Intellectual Disabilities
A lifelong sports fan, Todd Youngblood came to the Kay Community Service Center, a day program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) located in Fort Valley, Georgia, in 1995 and was immediately put to work.
3 Min Read
Special Olympics North America Programs Highlight Healthy Athletes Screenings
Competing in sports at your highest potential requires more than just hard work and determination.
3 Min Read