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Special Olympics Georgia athlete Lani DeMello continues to achieve incredible things in athletics and coaching gymnastics.

It has been a year of profound challenges driven by restrictions, loss and uncertainty. The athletes of Special Olympics—many of whom were already severely marginalised by society—saw their daily lives made even more difficult with drastically reduced access to activities and education due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A couple of months ago, I had the opportunity to interview a Special Olympics Japan employee about the pandemic, the differences between our cultures, and our experiences with Special Olympics. I loved the opportunity of doing this and wanted to do it again.

Special Olympics athletes are known for their athleticism, determination, and all-around inclusion. However, their skills go way beyond the fields and into places like kitchens!

Winning Gold at the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015

Special Olympics Gibraltar athlete Francis Mauro has courageously volunteered to continue working as a Messenger on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis at a hospital in Gibraltar.

Last February, a group of basketball players from Special Olympics Lithuania had a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience—they participated in workshops at the top basketball club in the country, Zalgiris Kaunas!

In finding inclusion, Micheline also found confidence and independence.

On 1 February 2020, 300 remarkable athletes from 20 different countries gathered in Åre and Östersund for the Special Olympics Sweden Invitational Games.

One thing that’s clear during the Special Olympics Sweden Invitational Games 2020 is the powerful sense of comradery: everyone seemed to cheer everyone else on.

Every year, for the past nine years, a select group of talented Special Olympics athletes and basketball superstars past and present, form two teams, lace up and battle it out in the NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified Basketball Game!

With the slalom slopes having become her second home, Swedish alpine skier Aurelia Hagberg showcased not only her talents, but also a custom-made set of ski clothing at the Special Olympics Sweden Invitational Games 2020.