Stories From the Field of Play

Players at the recent Special Olympics European Football Tournament were not only cheered on by friends, fans and families, they were also supported by international football star Célia Šašić.

Football fields all across Europe are coming alive with activity this summer, as women and girls with and without intellectual disabilities claim their rightful place on the pitch.

‘Keep Up With the Girls’ is a brand new European Union-supported project aimed at getting women and girls with and without intellectual disabilities (ID) involved in football.

In an act of true sportsmanship and generosity, Special Olympics parent Debbie Antonelli sunk 2,400 free throws in her 24-Hour Nothing But Net marathon on May 18 to support Special Olympics South Carolina.

Special Olympics European Football Week 2019 #EFW2019 in partnership with UEFA Respect runs from 25 May to 2 June. 40,000 participants across 50 countries will take part in 450 events. Learn more: http://bit.ly/2LIZiIt

The ‘Keep Up With the Girls’ awareness campaign is being backed by Special Olympics Global Ambassadors Didier Drogba and Cafu, FIFA Legend, Verónica "Vero" Boquete, Netherlands football star, Kirsten van de Ven. These stars and others are showing off their football skills and challenging everyone to make their own #KeepUpWithTheGirls challenge video! Learn more: http://bit.ly/2V9xH2D Download

All across the nation, Special Olympics athletes are gearing up for their state’s annual Summer Games.

It was a successful and amazing week at the International Cheer Union’s World Cheerleading Championships in Orlando. The first Special Olympics Division was launched with 5 US National teams competing in Unified and Traditional Cheer, Unified and Traditional Pom, and Unified Hip Hop. All 5 teams brought home a Gold medal.

In honor of International Dance Day, we look back on the Dance Sport Challenge that took place during the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi.