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Europe Eurasia Stories

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

Special Olympics European Football Week - Power of Partnerships #EFW2026
Annual Europe Eurasia initiative returns for its 26th edition, strengthening collaboration through football and expanding inclusion across communities
Special Olympics Global Health Report: Focusing on the Invisible

Letter from David Duncan

Dear Reader, It means a lot that you’re taking the time to learn about the health of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), like me. Many of us aren’t living our best lives because we aren’t as healthy as we could be. This is because we are overlooked, invisible, excluded, and so are our needs.
In the News

Football as a Force for Inclusion and Sustainable Change

Two male players on opposing teams running for the football.
On World Football Day, Special Olympics is celebrating the power of football to do more than just score goals; it breaks down barriers, builds communities, and unites athletes as they work together to achieve a shared goal.
In the News

Panthers Quarterback Bryce Young Makes News with Special Olympics Partnership

A group of three adults and four children standing in front of a Special Olympics backdrop stand close for a group photo.
Fansided recently covered the announcement of North Carolina Panthers Quarterback Bryce Young’s support of Special Olympics Unified Sports®.
Videos

Special Olympics – IFAPA Webinar #2: Sport & Competition

Special Olympics – IFAPA Webinar #2: Sport & Competition
As Special Olympics and the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA) begin our inclusive research partnership, we welcome you to join our new webinar series! This series will spotlight local opportunities for research collaboration across different programmatic areas, including sport, health and fitness, and schools! Each session will highlight recent collaborations and new opportunities for researchers and Special Olympics Programs to connect for meaningful, inclusive partnerships that drive quality programming. In this second webinar, hear from expert panelists Dr. Roy McConkey, Dr. Franziska Loetzner, Dr. Andrew Pitchford, and Dr. Maji Shaikh. Together, they’ll share practical insights and real-world examples of how collaborative sport research can strengthen athlete performance, improve health outcomes, and advance inclusion across Special Olympics.
Videos

Special Olympics – IFAPA Webinar #1: From Partnership to Practice

Special Olympics – IFAPA Webinar #1: From Partnership to Practice
As Special Olympics and the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA) begin our inclusive research partnership, we welcome you to join our new webinar series! This series will spotlight local opportunities for research collaboration across different programmatic areas including sport, health and fitness, and schools! Each session will highlight recent collaborations and new opportunities for researchers and Special Olympics Programs to connect for meaningful, inclusive partnerships that drive quality programming. In this launch webinar, listen to voices from Special Olympics staff, IFAPA leadership, and Special Olympics Athlete Leader, Allen Tobin. Together, they will share powerful insights on collaborative approaches to building research partnerships that advance inclusion worldwide. This session will set the stage for the upcoming webinar series and introduce the Special Olympics and IFAPA collaborative efforts.
Sport Partnerships

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.
In the News

Loretta Claiborne Honored as Local Hero in Pennsylvania

Loretta Claiborne and Eunice Kennedy Shriver holding their hands in the air
Spotlight PA recognized Loretta Claiborne as a Local Hero for her lifetime of work and accomplishments with Special Olympics. The following is an excerpt from the article titled PA Local Heroes: The champion athlete advocating for people with disabilities:
In the News

Special Olympics Celebrates the Legacy of Dr. Frank Hayden

Man with his arm around an athlete showing support as she shows off her medal hanging around her neck.
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. 
In the News

Special Olympics Chairman, Tim Shriver receives the 2026 Laetare Medal

Dr. Timothy Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics, was the recipient of the 2026 Laetare Medal at University of Notre Dame’s 181st University Commencement Ceremony on May 17, 2026.
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