Stories
These global stories are about the power of Special Olympics to inspire hope, confidence and courage. Special Olympics changes the lives of our athletes with intellectual disabilities but also our coaches, families, volunteers and others who have the opportunity to take part.
Fansided Covers Unified Sports as a Family Affair
Fansided recently covered the Special Olympics Australia women’s basketball team’s participation in the inaugural Special Olympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cupin Puerto Rico. The following is an excerpt from thearticle titled How One Family Is Changing Basketball in Australia with Unified Sports.
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Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Renew Partnership with Toyota Motor Europe to Continue Advancing Inclusion Through Unified Sports
Special Olympics and TME partner up to expand Unified sports across Europe and Eurasia through December 2027.
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Loretta Claiborne Named Special Olympics Advisor to CEO
At Special Olympics, athletes are at the core of our leadership. Their voice and example guide the movement in every way. That’s why we are thrilled to announce Loretta Claiborne as our new Senior Advisor to the CEO, Athlete Experience.
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Catching Big Air, Creating Bigger Change
Hannah Teter and her brother, Amen Teter, grew up snowboarding, inheriting a love for the sport from their parents.
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From Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s Backyard to the National Stage: Tim Gowen’s Life in Special Olympics
Only a handful of Special Olympics athletes have had the opportunity to meet the founder of Special Olympics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Even fewer athletes had the opportunity to compete in her backyard the year before Special Olympics even began. Luckily, for Tim Gowen, he was able to do both.
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Sports Illustrated Captured the Action at Virginia School Honored for Inclusion
On a day full of inclusion, education and sport, Sports Illustrated covered the ceremony when Bush Hill Elementary School in Alexandria, VA was named an Unified Champion School by Special Olympics.
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Insights from Focusing on the Invisible: David’s Perspective on Inclusive Health Research
In recognition of World Health Day earlier this month, Renee Dease met with David Duncan, Special Olympics Jamaica Health Messenger and Chairman of Special Olympics International Global Athlete Leadership Council.
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Now Open: Media Registration for Unified Football World Cup
Media registration for the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026 has officially opened.
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Saint Kitts and Nevis Joins Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion
On Wednesday, 1 April 2026, the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis formally committed to the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion, marking a significant step forward in the nation’s efforts to expand opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities.
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Special Olympics Named Finalist for 2026 Cynopsis Sports Award
Coverage of the 2026 Special Olympics 3x3 Basketball Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico has been named a finalist in the Sports Social Impact Initiative category at the 2026 Cynopsis Sports Awards.
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Special Olympics Athlete Leader Ben Haack Publishes Book to Help Parents with Children on the Autism Spectrum
Ben Haack is a renaissance man. He’s a Special Olympics Athlete Leader from Australia (including several board assignments), a football (soccer) player and now, he’s added the title of “author” to his list of accomplishments.
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German-Born Stefanie Curtis Prepares to Compete at Special Olympics USA Games
Stefanie Curtis had a different path to Special Olympics. Growing up in Berlin, Germany, there was no local programming for Special Olympics, so she found other ways to stay active as an adolescent.
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