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There are 6,138 results that match your search. There are 6,138 results that match your search.

Emily Markovich Morris

Emily Markovich Morris, Fellow, Center for Universal Education, Brookings Institution
Fellow, Center for Universal Education, Brookings Institution
Programs

Canada

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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.

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 Canada Fact Sheet
Community Impact

Inclusion Revolution Radio Celebrates One-Year Anniversary of Global Leadership Coalition for Inclusion

Season #6 Episode 5 Panos Vazaios Program Officer, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Shawn Ferguson Chief Global Government Relations Officer, Special Olympics
Novie Craven, spoke with Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Program Officer, Panos Vazaios, and Special Olympics Chief Global Government Relations Officer, Shawn Ferguson.

Ernest Bower

Ernest Bower, Special Olympics Board of Directors
President & CEO, BowerGroupAsia
Programs

Saudi Arabia

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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.

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 Saudi Arabia FactSheet (PDF)
Athletes

Romana’s Best Life: A Fit 5 Success Story

Romana on the left performing artistic gymnastics with a hoop and on the left she's working out at a home gym with resistant bands.
Romana is a young woman determined to live her best life, every single day. She’s been doing such a great job, she’s become a health and fitness role model for all.
In the News

Senegal Men and France Women Score First Goals of Tournaments

Three players, two from a team in orange and turquoise, one kicking the ball, and the opposing in white and blue.
The first goal of the Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026 tournament was scored by Ousmane Bakhayokho, an athlete from Special Olympics Senegal in the opening match against France.
In the News

Special Olympics Athletes React to AI Bias Study Led by Special Olympics

four different people combined to make one image. each person is smiling.
Special Olympics Athlete-Spokespersons see dangers and opportunities highlighted in a new study on how AI reinforces subtle but widespread bias against those with intellectual disabilities.
In the News

Special Olympics Unified Football Cup Attracts International Media

Woman in red kit/uniform kicks ball on football/soccer pitch.
From Africa and Asia to Europe, media outlets are highlighting how the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026 is bringing athletes with and without intellectual disabilities together on the same teams, demonstrating the power of sport to demonstrate a competitive spirit, inclusion, and respect across borders.
Community Impact

Faces of Fans and Families Throughout USA Games

By Anna Murray, June 26, 2026
Family members wearing matching "Team Brad" shirts pose in front of a Special Olympics USA Games display on the University of Minnesota campus. They are supporting Tennessee powerlifting athlete Brad Davis and cheering on Special Olympics athletes competing at the 2026 USA Games.
Long before the starting whistles sounded and the first medals were awarded, the heart of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games could be found in the stands and on the streets of Minneapolis.
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