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.
Special Olympics Oklahoma Coach Wins SONA Lifetime Achievement Award
For more than two decades, Susan St. John has been a fixture of the Special Olympics Oklahoma community, ever since her daughter, Chelsea, first became an athlete while in middle school. The St. John family may have started out small with Special Olympics, but the organization quickly became a huge part of their lives.
3 Min Read
SO USA Skier Alexandrea Rutledge Shares Her Experience From Turin 2025
Alexandrea Rutledge trained hard for Turin 2025. Now she's excited to show off her skills to friends back home.
1 Min Read
More Than Words: First Special Olympics Turkmenistan Athlete Competes in World Winter Games Figure Skating
Although figure skating athlete Nuranay Habybova could only communicate with her delegation, she could easily express herself on the ice.
2 Min Read
Women Who Inspire Change
This Women’s History Month, Special Olympics is celebrating the remarkable women who lead, inspire and make a difference in our organization—an organization founded on the visionary leadership of one woman, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
2 Min Read
Play Like a Girl
Coinciding with Women’s History Month, these Games sent a powerful message to the world: everyone has a place in sport.
2 Min Read
Lorraine Whelan, The Irish Powerhouse Skier
“Being able to ski a really tough course, that’s been my highlight. And now I’ve done it,” shares Team Ireland’s treasured alpine skier, Lorraine Whelan, waving her ski poles in the air as she dances with the crowd in Sestriere. Travelling through snow-capped Sestriere, for the alpine skiing competition at the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025, the name Lorraine Whelan is met with recognition and awe.
2 Min Read
Celebrating Partnership and Health at the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® Ribbon Cutting Ceremony marks the opening of Healthy Athletes screenings at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin.
2 Min Read
Tuttosport Highlights MATP Skier and the Progression of Inclusive Sport for All
On Tuesday 18 March, Tuttosport, one of Italy’s leading sport newspapers, published an article on Special Olympics Motor Activity Training Program (MATP) skier Samuele Tron and his coach, Andrea Tron, who is also his father. The following is an excerpt from the newspaper on the impact of MATP and the work of Samuele and Andrea to grow inclusive sport for all:
2 Min Read
Andrea Tomasoni, a Dancing Soul
"I have been dancing for 12 years, and I am going to the Special Olympics World Games," says Andrea Tomasoni. "Dancing is like talking to my soul..."
4 Min Read
Inclusive Health in Action
For Cori Piels, inclusive health isn’t just about ensuring she sees a doctor. It’s about feeling heard, understood.
1 Min Read
Special Olympics Athletes Gain Health Prevention and Sports Recovery Through Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® Screenings
Healthy Athletes programs, made possible by the Golisano Foundation, has accomplished a big difference in the lives of Special Olympics athletes—most of whom do not have access to regular health care and in some cases, may not have ever seen a doctor.
3 Min Read
Finding Balance in Mind, Body and Confidence
His movements are natural, precise, and fluid—each glide of his skates is a quiet testament to years of dedication and perseverance.
2 Min Read