Community Impact
Every day, our athletes inspire people everywhere to open their hearts to a wider world of human talents and potential. Learn more about the power Special Olympics has to make real change all around the world.
Champions of Inclusive Public Health: Special Olympics at APHA 2025
Members of the Special Olympics Health team attended and presented at the American Public Health Association’s Annual Meeting 2025 in Washington, D.C., sharing updates and news about our ongoing Health work.
8 Min Read
Kay Center Provides Employment and Sport Opportunities to People with Intellectual Disabilities
A lifelong sports fan, Todd Youngblood came to the Kay Community Service Center, a day program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) located in Fort Valley, Georgia, in 1995 and was immediately put to work.
3 Min Read
Six Majors, One Message: More Than a Marathon
In this episode, Novie Craven sits down with Thomas Cantara, a Special Olympics New Hampshire athlete who has completed all six World Marathon Majors—Boston, Berlin, Chicago, London, New York City and Tokyo.
1 Min Read
Behind the Mic: From Tennis Mishaps to Million-View Milestones
Host Novie Craven welcomes podcast producer Alex Padalino and Chris Bence to share the story behind the show’s creation, its impact and the role of partnership in building a platform for inclusion.
1 Min Read
Lighting the Way Series, Part 2: Parent Perspective
Family engagement is more than attending events—it’s about taking an active role in helping the development of Special Olympics athletes and Programs.
4 Min Read
Meet Special Olympics Mongolia Women’s Volleyball Head Coach Nara Altangere
Wife, mother of three, and former volleyball player, Naranchimeg Altangere, better known as Nara, is a physical education teacher and physical therapist at Special School 70, where she has been teaching and coaching for the past three years.
4 Min Read
Get to know Special Olympics Poland Men’s/Mixed Volleyball Head Coach Radek Łypczak
Special Olympics Poland’s Men/Mixed Volleyball Head Coach, Radek Łypczak, shared his background with volleyball and his coaching philosophy as he gears up to head to Katowice with his team next week for the Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup.
3 Min Read
Learn about Special Olympics Namibia Women’s Volleyball Coach Kristofina Bartromeus
Kristofina Bartromeus, is using her background (playing/working) in volleyball and her education on coaching people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, to prepare herself to coach her team in Poland for the Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup.
2 Min Read
Special Olympics Senegal Celebrates World Youth Skills Day and International Youth Day
Special Olympics Senegal brought together athletes, families, partners, and supporters to mark World Youth Skills Day and International Youth Day.
2 Min Read
And the Rising Star Award Goes To…
Special Olympics Rhode Island coach Lindsey Smith has always been drawn to sports.
3 Min Read
Serving Up Inclusion: Badminton for All in New Zealand
One of badminton’s greatest features is that it truly is a sport for all. Partners in the sport of badminton recognized this important feature in New Zealand.
3 Min Read
Special Olympics and Optometry Giving Sight - A Partnership for Sight and Inclusion
From Kenya to the USA to Ghana, a global effort is reshaping vision care for people with intellectual disabilities.
5 Min Read