Stories From the Field of Play

Frances Ocasio, 19-year-old Special Olympics Puerto Rico athlete is proudly representing her island, the host country, at the Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup. Today she is confident, focused, and determined, but her path to the team was not easy.

At just 19 years old, Jamaican born 3x3 Basketball player Makayla Williams is already showing the world what determination looks like. She joined her Special Olympics program two years ago, driven by her love for basketball and the joy of competing alongside her teammates. 

Players and teams across San Juan, Puerto Rico, woke up energised after last night’s spectacular Opening Ceremony that officially launched the first-ever Special Olympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup. From 5 – 7 December, 180 players from 27 countries will take to the courts at Distrito T-Mobile, carrying not only speed and strategy, but a shared purpose that defines Unified Sports.

Opening Ceremony for the Special Olympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup held at the Distrito T Mobile in San Juan. #choosetoinclude

[San Juan, Puerto Rico, 4 December 2025] The inaugural Special Olympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup tipped off this evening with an inspiring Opening Ceremony in San Juan, uniting hundreds of athletes, dignitaries, performers and fans for an unforgettable celebration of sport, culture and inclusion.

[San Juan, Puerto Rico - 4 December 2025] The wait is almost over. This week, Puerto Rico will make history as it welcomes basketball players from around the world to the first-ever Special Olympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup, a global celebration of sport, inclusion, and equality, taking place December 5 – 7, 2025, at Distrito T-Mobile, San Juan.

For Jacob Murasko, few things beat a sunny day on the golf course with his dad, Paul, by his side. Golf isn’t just their shared hobby, it’s their connection, their laughter, their way of showing up for each other. And now, that connection is taking them somewhere incredible: the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, where they’ll compete together as Unified partners.

From her first swim at Oaza to breaking barriers in sport, leadership, education, and government, Edna’s story is one of perseverance, possibility, and the transformative power of inclusion.

Vania King, Alicia Molik, Jessica Pegula, Gabriela Dabrowski, Erin Routliffe, Iga Swiatek and Garcia joined Judy Murray to help stage the Special Olympics clinic on behalf of the WTA Foundation.

This year, the theme of the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities is fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress.