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!
Africa Region at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games Berlin, Germany
34 delegations with over 400 athletes from the Africa Region represented their Programs. Watch our highlights!
West All-Stars Win 2023 Special Olympics Unified All-Star Game
Just hours ahead of the MLS All-Stars facing off against Arsenal, both teams are focused. After all, it’s their All-Star moment: the Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star Game.
3 Min Read
“An Amazing Feeling”—Swimmer Wins Gold, Twice
"Nobody judges me or my disability. It's where I feel happy and can be myself."
1 Min Read
Despite Tough Competition, Teen Gymnast Earns Silver
Artistic gymnast Li Xiang of China has been competing at Special Olympics World Games since he was 11 years old.
1 Min Read
Breaking Boundaries with Sport
Mariam Sylla powerfully smashes the table tennis ball across the table. She looks extremely concentrated and focuses all her energy on the game.
1 Min Read
Opening a Door to the World from Special Olympics Lesotho
Before Special Olympics, he wouldn’t have dreamed of stepping up to a podium stage to celebrate winning a medal.
2 Min Read
A Life Pace
Special Olympics Athlete Kamogelo Moncho, 28, South Africa, is bringing home a gold medal in the men's 5000m and a bronze medal in the 1500m but it is the sport itself that brings him the most pride.
1 Min Read
A Tale of Two Goalkeepers as Kenya Women’s Football Team Clinches Gold
“All Inclusive,” goalkeeper Marystella Ndolwa, one of the athletes profiled in the film, was hesitant to make any predictions about Special Olympics Kenya women’s football/soccer team’s upcoming match.
1 Min Read
Guatemalan Soccer Star Leads Special Olympics Guatemala Futsal Team to Gold in Berlin
Renowned Guatemalan national team member and international soccer player, Maria Fernanda Rossell, is making an impact on and off the pitch as a coach at Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023.
1 Min Read
Bikes Across Borders
On the surface, cycling may seem like an individual sport, but it takes a team to get competitors across the finish line.
3 Min Read
Head-to-Head in Judo
“It feels wonderful!” That’s what Mostafa Abdelmaguid from Special Olympics Egypt had to say about participating in his first World Games.
1 Min Read
Caroline Tangitau Sweeps Silver in Powerlifting
Caroline Tangitau traveled more than 11,027 miles/17,500 km from New Zealand to Germany to participate in the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 in women’s powerlifting.
1 Min Read