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!
A Girl's First Love
The all-consuming nature of a first love may be too much for some people. But for others, it becomes a part of their soul, their identity.
1 Min Read
Girl, You Got This!
When 19-year-old alpine skier and Special Olympics athlete Madison Cyr is gliding down the slopes her motivational saying “Girl, You Got This” keeps her going.
1 Min Read
Friendship Turned Leadership: How Youth Leaders are Shaping an Inclusive Future
For Louis Kleemeyer and Tim Pietrowski from Germany, being part of the Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Council has been nothing short of life-changing.
1 Min Read
Special Olympics Korea Soars on the Snow and the Ice
A mix of talent, youth, and personal triumph constitute an exemplary team of athletes. And they’re winning big!
2 Min Read
Victory on Court 3: The Bomber Leads Italy to Glory
The Division B Unified floorball match on Court 3 was a thrilling showdown between Special Olympics Italy and Special Olympics Germany.
1 Min Read
Snowboarder Marcel Schilling Wins Double Silver on the Slopes
Marcel Schilling, a charismatic 34-year-old snowboarder from Thurgau, Switzerland, has kicked off his Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 experience in style.
4 Min Read
From a Training on a Volcano to the Competing in the Alps: Special Olympics Costa Rica Athletes Excel in Snowshoeing
With no snow in Costa Rica, snowshoeing athletes Ashly Sanchez Ledezma and Emily Salguero Mata got creative with their training by practicing on a volcano.
2 Min Read
Lead and Follow: Special Olympics Netherlands Unified DanceSport
At just 3 years old, Special Olympics Netherlands athlete Kenya Koene began dancing. The footwork came naturally, as she followed in the footsteps of her mother, Irene Reniers, a longtime dancer.
2 Min Read
Team Estonia’s Helen Nääme Sails into DanceSport Finals!
Special Olympics Estonia athlete Helen Nääme kicked off the Games by leading her delegation in the Parade of Athletes at Opening Ceremony.
3 Min Read
Shane's Journey of Determination to World Games
If you were to see Shane François Bentley today—gliding on the ice, defending on the soccer field, or diving into a swimming pool—you’d never guess the mountain of challenges he’s had to overcome.
3 Min Read
When Special Olympics Finds You: An Unexpected Intersection of Medicine, Sport and Inclusion
While pursuing his medical degree at the University of Nairobi, Dr. Gome was an avid basketball player, dedicating his Saturdays to the sport he loved.
1 Min Read
Young Athletes Take the Floor
Pala Giani Asti was a party this morning as over 200 children from 7 area schools gathered for Special Olympics Young Athletes.
1 Min Read