Stories From the Field of Play

Youth Empowered, Leaders Inspired is a storytelling series that highlights the journeys of individuals who got their start with Special Olympics at a young age—and never looked back.

25 teams from 16 nations bring energy to the 50th edition of the annual football event in Sweden.

Special Olympics Singapore athlete Noah Tan has forged a career in visual arts, but his 12 years as a bowler helped his craft in a curious way.

Poland plays host to the first Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup, which takes place in the city of Katowice in 5 – 8 October 2025.

The 16 teams—comprising around 200 players—from across the globe that will compete in the first edition of the Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup in Katowice, Poland from 5 to 8 October 2025 have been announced today.

With the 107th Lions International Convention well under way in Orlando, Florida, now is the perfect moment to discover the depth and breadth of the powerful global partnership between Special Olympics and Lions Clubs International Foundation.

Football stands as one of the most beloved team sports among Special Olympics athletes across Europe and Eurasia, and UEFA’s support has been instrumental in elevating these opportunities ever since the establishment of our partnership in 1999.

This Mandela Day, Special Olympics is spotlighting the importance of sport and education in the Special Olympics Africa Region as it creates opportunities for those with and without intellectual disabilities to experience the benefits of sport as it pertains to health, well-being, and fitness.

This Mandela Day, Special Olympics celebrates the power of partnership and sport to drive lasting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Through a focused development of the Motor Activity Training Program (MATP), we want to ensure that the most vulnerable in this community, athletes with profound intellectual and developmental disabilities and high support needs, are not left behind.

This Mandela Day, Special Olympics celebrates the power of partnership and sport to drive lasting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).