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!
Michelle Obama and Jamaal Charles join Special Olympics athletes at 2015 World Games Opening Ceremony
In 2015, 6,500 athletes that represented 165 countries gathered in Los Angeles for the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games.
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Danielle Lieble at the White House
July 31 2014, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a dinner around “A Celebration of Special Olympics and A Unified Generation” at the White House.
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Youth Voices: Meet Bettina Lehmann, an Inclusive Youth Leader going to Baku!
Bettina Lehmann will represent Special Olympics Germany at the upcoming Global Youth Leadership Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan!
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How a Free Screening Changed Isaac “Joe” Crawford's Life
Suffering from headaches and often squinting to see better, it was clear Crawford needed to get his eyes checked.
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Brevard Banditz Win Softball Gold, Honor Retiring Coaches
After the Unified team from Florida won, Bob Rall and Tonya Snodgrass took off their shoes and laid them on home plate. Learn why.
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How Opening Eyes Program Helped a Romanian Swimmer
Thanks to the program, supported by Essilor, 13-year-old Cristi Ardeleanu is experiencing huge improvements to his eyesight.
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Special Olympics Featured in Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Museum
"Brave in the Attempt: Special Olympics in Louisiana" explores the history of Special Olympics with an emphasis on Louisiana.
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Gaston County 2018 Spring Games Set Local Record
Athletes enjoyed Olympic town and a 50 balloon release in honor of the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics. Learn about their record.
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Special Olympics South Africa Partnered With TOMS
All nine provinces took a quantity of TOMS shoes for their athletes.
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Athletes Engage at Europe Eurasia Athlete Input Council
The group allows athletes to raise their voices, and provide guidance on the development of Special Olympics as a movement.
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Khadija Zen Al Abdeen from Mauritania, the First Female Athlete ever to be sent to Compete outside Her Home Country
The twenty-three-year-old joined Special Olympics Mauritania in 2006 and competed in table tennis at the 2018 MENA Regional Games in Abu Dhabi.
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