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Athletes

athlete lead
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!

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

Javier Trejo: Speed, Passion, and the Road to Turin 2025

Spanish alpine skier preparing to take to the slopes for a sixth World Winter Games
3 Min Read

Sebastiaan Van Luijn: From Childhood Bullying to Competing at Turin 2025

Sebastiaan’s journey shows the power of perseverance and community support.
3 Min Read

Skiing "Is My Favorite Exercise!"—Alexandrea Trains for World Winter Games

Alexandrea Rutledge has been working out "a lot" ahead of Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025. She's been a Special Olympics athlete for more than 12 years, and this will be her first international competition.
1 Min Read

Be a Fan of Floorball Athlete Fan Xinwei

Fan Xinwei is a teenage athlete who's already an experienced Special Olympics floorball player. In fact, he's been playing floorball since 2016.
1 Min Read

Olympic Torch Bearer and Special Olympics athlete Fanélie Croizat Champions Teamwork Ahead of Turin 2025

Special Olympics France cross-country skier values joy, friendship and personal growth over podium finishes.
3 Min Read