In the News
In every corner of the earth, Special Olympics is changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. These news stories come from all around the world.
How Forest Hills Eastern High School Stood Out
The school was selected as the first school in Michigan to be a Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools National Banner program.
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USAID-Supported Youth Leaders in Serbia Invite Hometown Unified Sports Heroes to Recruit New Players
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.
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Special Olympics Leadership Academy Visited MENA Region
Representatives from Bahrain, Jordan, Tunisia, Lebanon, Mauritania, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt & Oman brought energy to the Academy.
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Africa Leadership Academy 2017 in Lusaka, Zambia
The academy, with representatives from 20 African countries, took place September 2017 at the Olympic Youth Development Centre.
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First Lady of Zambia Becomes 50th Anniversary Champion for Africa!
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.
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50th Anniversary Celebration Announcement Video
This video was made to mark our July celebration of 50 years of empowerment for people with intellectual disabilities.
Swimmers Competed in Open Water Maccabia Games Event
Every 4 years, Israel hosts the Maccabia Games, which are called the “Jewish Olympics." Jews from about 80 countries come to compete.
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Eunice Kennedy Shriver Receives Arthur Ashe Award For Courage at The 2017 ESPYS
Watch Tim Shriver accept the award on his mother's behalf and call out the work that still needs to be done.
Brendan West Found Happiness on a Basketball Court
Brendan West’s life has been anything but “normal” since the day he was born. Find out how basketball has helped him with that.
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How Thomas Shimoda Skates Past Adversity
Thomas is fast on the ice-- really fast. At 24 years old, he has put many struggles behind him. Learn more about him.
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Special Olympics Athlete Stephanie Ching Becomes an Advocate
She met with members of Congress, including House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, to advocate on behalf of Special Olympics.
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Why Coaches Asked Matthew Grabowski to Join a Leadership Team
The role means he is involved in solutions to make all aspects of the program better for athletes. Learn how he got there.
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