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Papua New Guinea

Special Olympics is a global organization that serves athletes with intellectual disabilities working with hundreds of thousands of volunteers and coaches each year. Since the establishment of Special Olympics in 1968, the number of people with and without intellectual disabilities who are involved with the organization has been growing, but the unmet need to reach more people with intellectual disabilities is staggering.

Special Olympics Papua New Guinea is recognized as a Founding Committee. A Founding Committee is a group of people who join together and apply to Special Olympics International for recognition and the right to use the name "Special Olympics" with the ultimate goal of being accredited as a Program.

It’s at the local level—right here—where interested volunteers meet the athletes. That’s where the perceptions start to change and where the miracle of transformation takes place.

Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Those activities give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.

Download the Special Olympics Papua New Guinea Fact Sheet

Special Olympics Celebrates the Legacy of Dr. Frank Hayden

The Special Olympics community is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Frank Hayden, a pioneering figure whose contributions to the world of sports and disability advocacy have had a profound impact on generations of athletes and families. Dr. Hayden passed away at the age of 96, leaving a legacy that has transformed countless lives. 

Special Olympics European Football Week 2026 set to unite 30,000 participants across 40 nations under ‘Power of Partnerships’

Annual Europe Eurasia initiative returns for its 26th edition, strengthening collaboration through football and expanding inclusion across communities

International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity

The International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA) is a professional association of scholars, professionals, and higher education students in the field of adapted physical activity. A partnership agreement first began between the IFAPA and Special Olympics International (SOI) on 18 September 2010 that provided a deeper association between both organizations through collaboration on projects of mutual interest and benefit. This partnership was renewed in June 2025 to reflect the commitment between IFAPA members and SOI. The partnership aims to explore opportunities for collaboration including attending and/or co-presenting at each organization’s conferences/symposia (e.g., International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity; Special Olympics Research and Evaluation Seminar Series), funding proposals, and /or involving members on committees or advisory boards. To learn more or ask a question, please email fitness@specialolympics.org.

AIPS and Special Olympics join forces for momentous new Young Reporters Programme at World Games Abu Dhabi

Adding to the milestone occasion of the first World Games in the Middle East and spreading its stories will be six promising journalists from 4 continents as part of a new AIPS Young Reporters Programme.

Game Recognizes Game

At the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026, Special Olympics coaches spent most of their time plotting against one another’s teams.

Special Olympics Romania Athlete Anca Miron Launches Her Very Own Children’s Book

Anca Miron launched the children’s book ‘Anca’s Snowshoeing Adventure’—which was inspired by the story of her journey to the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025—at a book signing event in Seneca Anticafe in Bucharest on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Anca’s book is one of four in a series focused on Special Olympics athletes.

Sport and Competition

Get in touch with us to volunteer, become an athlete, join a Unified Sports team, work as a coach and to learn about upcoming events.

Youth & Schools

Our work aims to empower young people, educators, coaches, and families as leaders for inclusion, starting in their local schools and communities around the world.

12 Days of Inclusion

12 Days of InclusionWe invite you to join us for Special Olympics’ 12 Days of Inclusion, a campaign celebrating the work we deliver around the globe to address the disparities faced by people with intellectual disabilities (ID) and build a more inclusive and accepting future. 12 Days of Inclusion will consist of daily acts of inclusion that you can participate in virtually.