During the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, ESPN visited Special Olympics Healthy Athletes®—a program that provides free, accessible health screenings for Special Olympics athletes and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Healthy Athletes aims to reduce preventable and treatable health disparities faced by people with IDD by offering health screenings and education, providing assistive devices such as prescription glasses and hearing aids, and connecting athletes to follow-up care in their home communities.
ESPN’s coverage highlighted three of the seven disciplines offered at USA Games: Special Olympics Special Smiles® (dentistry), Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes® (vision and eye health), and Strong Minds (mental health).
