Our 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!
To say everything is a bit different these days is an understatement. But the NBA is doing everything it can to make things feel normal.
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Professional video shoots are full of flashing lights, loud noises and new scenarios. For someone with autism who has sensitivity to flashing lights, this setting can be overwhelming and intimidating. But Greg did not let that stop him from participating in the School of Strength fitness series.
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Special Olympics has come a long way since 1968 and now it goes beyond just sports. In the past two weeks, the Landscape Podcast, a series of episodes highlighting people, programs and businesses changing the landscape for individuals with any type of disability, has focused on Special Olympics and ESPN.
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How a Love of Football Helps Hassam Set Goals and Accomplish Them
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Anas Khalil Al Zorba was once described by some as hyperactive with excessive movement. Then, he joined Special Olympics Palestine. Because of his sports training, the exercise and rules of game helped him control his energy and gain discipline. Not only did his skills and dedication improve his behavior, self-reliance and independence, but they also got him noticed by Special Olympics coaches and staff.
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Loretta Claiborne has traveled the world with Special Olympics since starting to compete in 1970 with Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Over the past 50 years, she’s grown into one of Special Olympics’ most influential voices.
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Today, on International Youth Day, Special Olympics is helping to highlight youth leaders with and without intellectual disabilities who are leading for global action today and tomorrow for a more inclusive world. August 12 was declared International Youth Day by the U.N. in 1999 to celebrate the voices and engagement of young people who are working to create change in their communities, nations and the world.
International Youth Day recognizes youth engagement for global action. To celebrate, some young people who took part in the Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa Youth Leadership Summit 2020 share the impact it had on them and their vision for a more inclusive world!
On and off the field, Kristine Hughes is a champion of inclusion. She’s a Special Olympics athlete, an athlete leader, a certified coach, and an official. She is also the Athlete Leadership Manager and a Sargent Shriver Global Messenger for Special Olympics North Carolina.
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Special Olympics athletes are known for their athleticism, determination, and all-around inclusion. However, their skills go way beyond the fields and into places like kitchens!
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Winning Gold at the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015
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Champions of Inclusion contribute to a more dignified, just and inclusive world for people with intellectual disabilities (ID), celebrating the strength of a world where we all enjoy the same rights.
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