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!
Ahmad Hayek: Team Lebanon skier
Outsiders sometimes forget that Lebanon is a mountainous country, where summits can top 10,000 feet.
1 Min Read
Daina Shilts: The Power of Sports—and Unity
She won bronze at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games and has competed alongside her longtime role-model Hannah Teter.
Team Ecuador Trains for the World Games
Carlos and his teammates grew up together playing Special Olympics sports. Ahead of the World Summer Games, they trained together.
Leo and Gedeon: Hope in Haiti
Haitian athletes Leo and Gedeon played wherever they could as they trained for the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
Donghan Kim: To Bring Honor to Korea
He dreamed of competing in an endurance sport -- open water swimming -- in the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens.
Meet Chevi
Chevi Peters struggled with health issues all his life. After 38 operations, he's winning gold—and showing what strength really means.
Egypt’s President hires the Special Olympics Athlete Dina Galal
The president of Egypt has embraced the challenge of involving people with different abilities in the community by hiring an athlete with intellectual disabilities.
1 Min Read
Julian Hall Truly Knows What It Means to "Never Give Up"
He had two moments in his life that could have been big setbacks. Instead, he rose to the challenge twice—watch his inspirational tale.
How Basketball Helped Inspire Abel Mehari
Abel is a star basketball player who got even better after he started playing Special Olympics Unified Sports. Find out what drives him.
Davaa's Extraordinary Journey from Mongolia to America
Running hard, and alone, in remote landscapes helped her realize a dream. Watch the journey that took her to the 2015 summer games.
Breno: The Will to Win
Hist first goal was to play judo so he could be like his older brother. Soon Breno had a new goal—to be the best judo player he could.
Melissa and Elia: "Our Paths Crossed ..."
Here's a vignette from ESPN about two athletes who are there for each other -- celebrating life's special moments, together.