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Athletes

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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 two-photo collage showing three people smiling at a camera.
Athletes

A Lifelong Journey of Health, Perseverance, and Purpose: Shadia’s Story

Every year, Family Health and Fitness Day is celebrated on the last Saturday in September.
3 Min Read
Emileigh Marsh sits in a wheelchair on an indoor turf competition field, wearing a gray and red Texas team shirt and a yellow credential lanyard. Bocce courts and event participants are visible in the background.
Athletes

Pallino on the Move

Staged under fluorescent lights, an orderly arrangement of turf courts hosts their competition: Special Olympics USA Games bocce athletes and Unified partners, athletes without intellectual disabilities.
4 Min Read
Jeremiah smiles at the camera with his hand on his chin.
Athletes

NAACP Image Award Nominated Actor and Athlete Jeremiah Daniels in His Own Words

Special Olympics Colorado athlete Jeremiah Daniels talks about his role in the movie Color Book streaming on Netflix.
2 Min Read
A two-photo collage. On the left is a woman smiling at the camera, and on the right is a young man sitting on the floor, giving a thumbs up, and smiling at the camera.
Athletes

How Fitness and Health Go Hand-in-Hand: Fima on Supporting Athlete Wellness

This month, I met with Fimanekeni (Fima) Hamutenya, a Special Olympics Namibia athlete, whose experience as a Fitness Captain and Health Messenger helped him rebuild his confidence and inspired him to help his fellow athletes live healthier, more active lives.
3 Min Read
A woman and a man stand in front of a black backdrop that says "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame" on it.
Athletes

Special Olympics Athletes Work to Bring Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to Life

All Special Olympics athletes want is to have the same chance to prove their worth. Just like their peers, in sports and in everyday life, the inclusion of employment opportunities.
3 Min Read
A soccer team poses for a photo. They are wearing green uniforms and standing behind a red sign that says "Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026".
Athletes

More than a Medal: Special Olympics Jamaica Demonstrates Inclusion at the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup

Standing on the sidelines of any Special Olympics Jamaica match at the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup, one could hear cheers from their small but mighty section of supporters, who flew halfway across the globe to cheer on their team.
2 Min Read
SO Canada Co-Captains - two female athletes wearing red shirts with white maple leaves on them smile for a photo.
Athletes

SO Canada Unified Co-Captains Bring Leadership and Positivity to the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup

For the second time since its inception, the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup implemented Unified co-captains for each team.
3 Min Read
A group of women soccer players wearing white and blue uniforms celebrate in a team huddle on the field of a large stadium with mostly empty stands in the background.
Athletes

Special Olympics Slovakia Fall Short of Bronze After Dramatic Penalty Shootout Against SO Thailand

Special Olympics Slovakia finished fourth in the Division 1 competition after a dramatic Bronze medal match ended in a 4–4 tie, with SO Thailand securing the medal with a 3–1 penalty victory.
3 Min Read
Two football teammates wearing blue Special Olympics China jerseys stand side by side on a football field with their arms around each other's shoulders. The player on the left wears number 11, while the player on the right wears number 7. Trees and a goalpost are visible in the blurred background.
Athletes

Special Olympics China’s Unified Team Proves the Game Is for Everyone

Special Olympics China faced off against SO Spain in their Division 3 semi-final match at the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026, suffering a 6-0 defeat.
4 Min Read
A football player in a red jersey dribbles the ball upfield as opponents in orange jerseys pursue him.
Athletes

Libya Storms into the Knockout Stage with Perfect Group Record

Special Olympics Libya completed a flawless group stage at the Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026 with an emphatic victory, following earlier wins over Ecuador and Spain.
2 Min Read
A group of women wearing blue shirts with "USA" in white lettering smile as they pose together outdoors, with a construction facade, trees and shrubs in the background.
Athletes

Coach Molly Underly Keeps Special Olympics USA Looking Forward

Coach Molly Underly and Special Olympics USA battled Special Olympics Namibia to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday, adding another chapter to a tournament that has already included a 2-1 win over Azerbaijan and a 6-0 loss to Guatemala.
3 Min Read
Children sit around a large fox mascot with a row of adults behind them.
Athletes

Young Athletes Encouraged to Play in Paris

8 July 2026. Yesterday, at the Charléty Stadium Dojo, 30 children from France with and without intellectual disabilities, participated in Young Athletes, fun motor skills courses as part of the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026 non-competition events.
1 Min Read