In the News

When Eunice Kennedy Shriver hosted the first ever summer camp for people with intellectual disabilities in her backyard, it would have been hard to imagine that 50 years down the line, Special Olympics would be taking the lead to discuss an urgent issue in today’s society, the marginalisation of those already on the margins, namely, refugees with intellectual disabilities.

The 2018 Special Olympics Middle-East / North Africa (MENA) 9th Regional Games is the region's largest multi-sports event for athletes with intellectual disabilities of 2018.

2017 marks the 14th edition of one of Europe’s biggest basketball events, which aims to deliver unity through sport.

The December 2017 meeting brought together UNICEF officials, Special Olympics Kosovo staff, teachers, families, coaches and children.

Abdullah Najim is a 19-year-old refugee from Iraq. He is also a Special Olympics gold medal winner athlete!

The school was selected as the first school in Michigan to be a Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools National Banner program.

In Cacak, Serbia the inclusive youth activation committee (YAC) invited hometown heroes who had won the recent Special Olympics European Unified Volleyball tournament in Poland to participate in a come-and-try Unified Volleyball session at a local sports hall. “We thought that the experienced Unified players could inspire current and new Unified Volleyball players to join Special Olympics,” said Nikola Jovicic, (19) one of the four YAC members. “On the volleyball court playing together as equals is where we learn to respect each other," he said. Approximately 50 youth from the local special and mainstream school took part in the event. The YAC, comprised of four youth with and without intellectual disabilities, is one of 10 established in 10 cities in Serbia in a two-year USAID-supported project that aims to foster understanding and inclusion among youth. Using inclusive sports as a platform, youth are given opportunities to learn about and participate in leadership and advocacy.

Representatives from Bahrain, Jordan, Tunisia, Lebanon, Mauritania, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt & Oman brought energy to the Academy.

The academy, with representatives from 20 African countries, took place September 2017 at the Olympic Youth Development Centre.

We’re proud to announce that Her Excellency Esther Lungu, First Lady of the Republic of Zambia, has accepted the role of 50th Anniversary Ambassador for the Africa Region.

This video was made to mark our July celebration of 50 years of empowerment for people with intellectual disabilities.

Every 4 years, Israel hosts the Maccabia Games, which are called the “Jewish Olympics." Jews from about 80 countries come to compete.