Stories

Special Olympics athletes, Celine and Ionut, were among guest speakers at a recent special event in the European Parliament to honour the amazing career of Special Olympics Global Ambassador Nadia Comăneci – and the power of inclusive sport.

In celebration of National Nutrition Month, Renee Dease met with Special Olympics Michigan staff member, Health Messenger, and athlete, Kayla Cornell, to talk about how she empowers Special Olympics athletes to build healthier habits through practical cooking skills and nutrition education.

Athlete Leaders from Special Olympics Latin America share important messages for World Down Syndrome Day—a day of awareness, solidarity, activism, and celebration.

A weeklong series of site visits across Ireland highlighted innovative partnerships, athlete led initiatives, and institutional leadership advancing inclusive health for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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

Earlier this month, Special Olympics joined global sport leaders, researchers, and practitioners from around the world at the 5th World Association for Sport Management (WASM) Conference, held 3 – 6 March in Cape Town, South Africa. Under the theme “Global Visions, Local Actions: Innovation and Sustainability in Sport Management,” the conference fostered dialogue on sport governance, innovation, sustainability, and the social impact of sport, creating a collaborative space to exchange ideas and explore approaches to innovation and sustainability in sport management.

The iconic YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships 2026 played host to a landmark moment for inclusive badminton as Special Olympics and the Badminton World Federation (BWF) celebrated the renewal of their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and launched a new 2026 – 2031 Strategic Plan, marking an exciting new chapter for inclusive badminton.

The athlete delegates chosen for the Special Olympics North America Athlete Congress see themselves as leaders. Leading is what they intend to do before, during, and after the Congress in March. They know they’ve been empowered to discuss difficult topics and find solutions to big challenges.

In light of new research from Special Olympics Health published in JAMA Network Open, Renee Dease, a longstanding member of the Special Olympics movement, sat down with Special Olympics Wisconsin athlete and Health Messenger, Heather Holland, to talk about mental health, stigma, and the power of community.

Organizations deepen their collaboration with events taking place in April and July

Jocelyn is a leader whose presence brightens the bowling alley.

Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women throughout  history who have shaped our past and are shaping our future.