Stories From the Field of Play

This episode of Inclusion Revolution Radio is proudly sponsored by Toyota. Hosted by Novie Craven and produced at Podville Media, we shine a spotlight on a historic first: the Special Olympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup! Held 5 – 7 December 2025, this event will bring together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to compete on a global stage in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

This episode spotlights the power of inclusion and the growth of Unified Sports worldwide, featuring voices from Special Olympics Puerto Rico who are shaping this groundbreaking event.

Mer and Amira were among 40 Special Olympics players and Unified Partners from Finland, Bulgaria and Lithuania taking part.

“Basketball has changed my life and I am proud to be a part of this family.”

More than 25,000 players from over 35 countries will compete across 250 events between 25 November and 3 December.

Together with our partners at @fiba, we’re proud to host the first-ever #SpecialOlympics 3x3 Unified Basketball World Cup, where athletes with and without intellectual disabilities will compete side-by-side on the global stage. Get ready for unforgettable moments, fierce competition, and the power of inclusion in action.

Meet Cecilia Gonzalez, a basketball player with Special Olympics Paraguay, whose life is now unrecognizable after she discovered her love for basketball and competing with Special Olympics.

Together with our partners at @fiba, we’re proud to host the first-ever #SpecialOlympics 3x3 Unified Basketball World Cup, where athletes with and without intellectual disabilities will compete side-by-side on the global stage. Get ready for unforgettable moments, fierce competition, and the power of inclusion in action.

The 22nd edition of Special Olympics European Basketball Week sees 25,000+ players with and without intellectual disabilities taking part in 250 events in 35+ countries, with the support of TME, UPS, FIBA Europe and FIBA Foundation. Games, tournaments, workshops and other activities will be offered across the region for boys, girls and mixed teams, with a focus on Special Olympics Unified Sports® and reaching new Special Olympics Unified Schools through a cross-collaboration with FIBA Hoops 4 Schools. 

The following is an excerpt from sportanddev’s article, detailing the upcoming 2026 Unified Football World Cup in Paris and sharing the excitement from sponsors and Special Olympics leadership.