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!
Samantha Rodriguez: Logging Miles & Leading the Way
To many, running is a solitary sport. One person, one route, one goal. But for Samantha Rodriguez, running has always been more than that. It’s been a way to connect, form a community, and create opportunities for those around her.
3 Min Read
Cyclists Set New Guinness World Record Titles in RideLondon-Essex100
Following Lloyd Martin’s incredible achievements at last month’s TCS London Marathon, Special Olympics Surrey Cycling Club cyclists, Tom Kelsall and Hannah Kemp, have set new Guinness World Records titles by completing the Ford RideLondon-Essex100.
1 Min Read
Special Olympics Jordan Athlete Leader Abdullah’s Mission of Inclusion
Abdullah Al Nahas was born in December 2000, and he impacted many lives with his warmth and friendliness, leaving an extraordinary mark on all those around him.
2 Min Read
Special Olympics at UEFA EURO 2024: Excitement builds for athlete-volunteers in Hamburg!
Today, we catch up with a trio of volunteers: Emilio Jungclaus Miranda, Menja Radke and Steffi Rückner—two athletes and a coach from Special Olympics Hamburg.
1 Min Read
Special Olympics at UEFA EURO 2024: Athletes from Hessen Countdown to Kick Off!
Special Olympics athletes across Germany are in training to volunteer at UEFA EURO 2024 through a groundbreaking tandem volunteering programme inspired by the inclusivity of Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023.
1 Min Read
Thor and Joakim: One Coach, One Player, 25 Years
Swedish coach and player pair, Thor Guttormsen and Joakim Andersson, have undergone a long journey from new acquaintances to close friends, collecting accolades along the way and even attracting the attention of Zlatan Ibrahimovic!
3 Min Read
Special Olympics Triathletes Battle It Out at Challenge Family Triathlon
Triathlon Paves the Way for Inclusive Sport at the 3rd Annual Special Olympics European Open Triathlon
2 Min Read
“The news came as a complete surprise!”
As Gilmour Borg and his fellow nine new Sargent Shriver Global Messengers take part in a week of training in Washington D.C., we take the opportunity to get to know Gilmour a little better with a one-to-one interview.
4 Min Read
“I couldn’t believe that I had been selected!”
This week, Margaret Turley and the nine other new Sargent Shriver Global Messengers (SSGMs) from the 2024 to 2027 cohort are embarking on an intensive week of training in Washington DC. Just before Margaret flew out, we took the opportunity to get to know her a little better with a one-to-one interview.
3 Min Read
Special Olympics Colorado Athlete Conquers Mountains, Literally and Figuratively
For Hunter Specht, the mountain is his home away from home. For years, he and his family have bonded over their passion for snow sports, especially skiing. But it was when Hunter’s passion for skiing met Special Olympics Colorado that he was truly able to shine.
3 Min Read
Lloyd Martin runs into the Guinness World Record Books
Special Olympics Great Britain athlete Lloyd Martin ran his way into the Guinness World Record Books on 21 April 2024 by completing the TCS London Marathon.
1 Min Read