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!
Special Olympics “Staying Fit at Home” BINGO Board Encourages Fun Fitness
Staying Fit at Home can be FUN with BINGO! The board is filled with links to workouts and other exciting activities. Each week, we challenge you to fill out the ENTIRE board and have fun while doing it.
1 Min Read
Special Olympics Gibraltar Athlete Supporting his Community Through COVID-19
Special Olympics Gibraltar athlete Francis Mauro has courageously volunteered to continue working as a Messenger on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis at a hospital in Gibraltar.
2 Min Read
Special Olympics Lithuania Baller Finds his Voice at Euroleague OneTeam Sessions
Last February, a group of basketball players from Special Olympics Lithuania had a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience—they participated in workshops at the top basketball club in the country, Zalgiris Kaunas!
2 Min Read
Learn more about Loretta Claiborne: 50-year Special Olympics Athlete & Chief Inspiration Officer
Loretta Claiborne was born the middle of seven children in a poor, single-parent family in York, Pennsylvania. Partially blind and with intellectual disabilities, she was unable to walk or talk until four-years-old. Today, Claiborne is an accomplished athlete, motivational speaker, member of the Special Olympics International Board of Directors, and Chief Inspiration Officer for Special Olympics.
1 Min Read
Special Olympics Athlete and ESPN Anchor Reflect on Long-Time Friendship as Source of Strength
Alison Smith, Special Olympics Connecticut athlete, recently interviewed her long-time friend Kenny Mayne, Anchor on ESPN’s SportsCenter.” They discussed keeping positive while staying home due to the spread of COVID-19/coronavirus.
1 Min Read
Leading with Empathy in an Uncertain World
This world right now is going through a once in a lifetime event, that has put us on the brink. Yet through that, a unique organisation has some very powerful yet simple messages coming from an even more unique group of people who have never been on the global radar.
3 Min Read
How to Prepare Podcast Interviews
Looking to recording an interesting podcast that keeps people’s attention? Award-winning and veteran podcaster, Dan Smrokowski (Special Olympics Illinois) offers these tips on how to create compelling content for audio and video podcasts.
1 Min Read
Physical Distancing But Not Social Distancing: A Special Olympics Athlete’s Perspective
It's the most exciting time of year for all who are involved. Each year at the beginning of June, hundreds of Special Olympics Maryland athletes gather at Towson University just outside Baltimore City, ahead of the annual Summer Games.
3 Min Read
Nick Borders Stays “Game Ready” During Social Distancing
Though social distancing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is keeping most people indoors, on Earth Day we embrace nature and are grateful for those times when we’re able to exercise outdoors.
1 Min Read
How to Make a Friendship Bracelet
Loretta Claiborne is the Vice Chair of the Special Olympics Board of Directors and athlete from Pennsylvania. In this expert tip video, she demonstrates how to make a friendship bracelet.
Athlete Stephanie Ching Shares Fitness Tips and a Toolkit for Caregivers
Stephanie Ching has been a tenacious Special Olympics athlete for more than 25 years and has the medals to prove it!
1 Min Read
How to Color Pictures with Adobe Illustrator
Looking for a way to bring your black and white illustrations to life? In this video, Bobby Jones, Special Olympics Virginia, demonstrates how to color in pictures using Adobe Illustrator.
1 Min Read