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
USA Games Start to Wrap Up in Minneapolis
The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games are heading into its last day of competition, and so many memories have been made.
1 Min Read
Day Two of Competition Highlights Athletes Across Multiple Sports
The second day of competition at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games was cut short due to inclement weather, but not before some memorable moments.
1 Min Read
ESPN’s Unified Sports Challenge Takes on Allianz Field
On the University of Minnesota campus, the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games is showcasing 16 sports, and 3,000 athletes from across the country are here to win one thing—gold. But, more than any medal, they want to highlight why inclusion is important and why it’s needed in sports.
1 Min Read
Day One of Competition is a Wrap in Minneapolis
The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games are officially underway, and the competition is now in high gear. Athletes from Programs across the country are now competing in 16 sports across the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center.
1 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
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