Athletes
Athletes are the heart of Special Olympics. Our athletes are children and adults with intellectual disabilities from all around the world—5.6 million and counting! They are finding success, joy and friendship as part of our global community. They're also having lots of fun!
‘Basketball was our Language’—Brother and Sister Star in the World’s First International Unified Basketball Camp
Mer and Amira were among 40 Special Olympics players and Unified Partners from Finland, Bulgaria and Lithuania taking part.
3 Min Read
Life-changing Benefits of Basketball with Special Olympics Hellas and Panathinaikos AKTOR
“Basketball has changed my life and I am proud to be a part of this family.”
2 Min Read
Healthy Athletes and Home Runs: Bringing Health and Sports Together at SONA Softball Championship
Imagine being an athlete ready to compete at the highest level, but you're distracted by a throbbing mouth from tooth pain.
3 Min Read
Using Basketball to Overcome the Exclusion of her Past: Cecilia Gonzalez
Meet Cecilia Gonzalez, a basketball player with Special Olympics Paraguay, whose life is now unrecognizable after she discovered her love for basketball and competing with Special Olympics.
1 Min Read
Special Olympics North America Programs Highlight Healthy Athletes Screenings
Competing in sports at your highest potential requires more than just hard work and determination.
3 Min Read
Shared Dreams, One Goal: Serbia’s Unified Volleyball Teams Make Their Mark in Poland
Two Serbian athletes—separated by age but united by the game—proudly represented their country.
6 Min Read
Bronze Victory for Krystian Fąfara and Team Poland!
The arena in Katowice roared as Team Poland clinched bronze on home soil, defeating Iraq in the duel for third place at the Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup Poland 2025.
4 Min Read
From Blurry to Bright: Colleen’s Path to Diagnosis
In February 2024, Special Olympics New Jersey athlete Colleen Ciecura began experiencing persistent eye discomfort—itching, dryness, and blurry, double vision.
3 Min Read
Special Olympics UAE and Special Olympics Slovakia are Crowned Unified Volleyball World Cup Champions!
After an electric four days and 40 matches played, the inaugural Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup crowns its first-ever champions: Special Olympics United Arab Emirates (Women’s) and Special Olympics Slovakia (Men’s/Mixed).
3 Min Read
From Quiet Struggles to a Wicked Spike: Sonia Ciboldi Rises as Italy Defeats Serbia 2–1
For Sonia Ciboldi, camaraderie goes hand-in-hand with competition as Italy edges Serbia 2–1 and enters the race for fifth place at the Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup Poland 2025.
3 Min Read
The Stage is Set: Find out who Advanced to the Final of the Unified Volleyball World Cup
After three days of competition and 32 matches later, the finals of the Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup are set.
3 Min Read
Michael Svitak—Guiding Light of Team Austria!
At 48, Team Austria’s Michael Svitak is one of the most experienced players, taking up the role of “unofficial captain” and leading by example both on and off the court.
2 Min Read