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!
Lean, Mean, Skiing Machine
In a few short days, Nick Mills will be leaving South Dakota to embark on a trip of a lifetime.
3 Min Read
Finding the Right Fit: Why Your Environment Matters
Special Olympics Hong Kong athlete Hui Lok-yee recognized the importance of the people we surround ourselves with. The difference between the struggles she faced at a young age and the success she later found was not about effort. It was about environment.
2 Min Read
Turin 2025 Home Hope: Ugo Valentini Swaps Tennis Racket For Snowboard Boots
Multi-sports talent balances training for the Special Olympics World Winter Games with driving lessons
3 Min Read
Raja Dalis, Special Olympics Illinois Mother, Emphasizes the Power of Community
When Raja Dalis couldn't find the resources she wanted as the parent of a child with an intellectual disability, she created them, finding a new community along the way.
3 Min Read
Unified On and Off the Court: Ines and Jasmin’s Winning Floorball Connection
Special Olympics Germany Unified duo is ready to compete in the World Winter Games Turin 2025
3 Min Read
Empowering Mentors: The First SOMENA Athlete Leaders Mentors Training in Abu Dhabi
From December 16 – 17, 2024, Abu Dhabi hosted the First Special Olympics Middle East / North Africa Athlete Leaders Mentors Training.
4 Min Read
Special Olympics MENA Athlete Leadership Congress 2024: Empowering Inclusion and Leadership
From November 27 – 30, 2024, the Special Olympics MENA Athlete Leadership Congress (RALC) made history in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as the first leadership-focused Special Olympics event hosted in the Kingdom.
6 Min Read
Shane’s Journey of Determination to World Winter 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
Leaving Low Expectations Behind: Meet Shirnel
Shirnel Swarts is a bright light wherever she shines—and she’s been shining a lot lately. A talented athlete, Shirnel is excited to be training for her second Special Olympics World Winter Games!
1 Min Read
Sports Excellence as Tradition: Gonzalo Gets Ready for Turin
Gonzalo Escobar Wernli grew up with a love for winter sports—and a talent for them, too. And why wouldn’t he? He enjoyed early instruction from his grandfather, Claudio Wernli, who was a competitive skier in the 1964 Winter Olympics in Austria, among other events.
1 Min Read
Floorball Ingenuity: How Namibia Improvised On and Off the Court
Through creativity, partnership, and improvised equipment, Namibia’s floorball team has found a curious path to not only play the sport, but to excel and reach the world stage in Turin for the 2025 World Winter Games.
2 Min Read
What Makes a Leader? A Senegalese Athlete’s Discovery
Gerard Diedhiou of Special Olympics Senegal learned step by step over more than a decade what it takes to not only find his own voice, but to empower others in his community. From harsh beginnings, Gerard has learned how to connect with others, growing into a role model on and off the field.
3 Min Read