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Community Impact

Impact Lead
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.

Special Olympics Athletes and Refugees Team Up for Unified Football in Spain

Inclusivity took center stage in Seville, Spain on 25 April 2024, as Special Olympics Andalucía football players and refugees from the local Refugee Reception Center came together for an exhibition match.
2 Min Read

Special Olympics welcomes Paraguay into the Global Leadership Coalition for Inclusion

Paraguay made history by becoming the inaugural South American nation to join the Special Olympics Global Leadership Coalition for Inclusion.
3 Min Read

Iceland Enhances Inclusive Learning through Unified Sports

Ceremony in Reykjavík ratifies the European country's membership in the Special Olympics Global Leadership Coalition for Inclusion
3 Min Read

Dedicated to Promoting Inclusion in Greece: Primary 24 School’s Story

As an educator and trainer, Nikoleta is dedicated to serving youth in her hometown of Patras, Greece. During the day, Nikoleta is a physical education teacher at Primary School 24, and after school, she’s a swim coach for Special Olympics Hellas.
3 Min Read

Advancing Inclusive Education in Kosovo with Unified Sports Opportunities

Special Olympics Global Leadership Coalition for Inclusion welcomes Kosovo at signing ceremony in Pristina
2 Min Read

Earth Day 2024: Special Olympics Sustainability Project Is Making Waves in Belgium And Italy

What impact do Special Olympics sports events—from food and travel to branding and waste—have on the environment? More importantly, what can we do about it?
3 Min Read

Inclusion and 10 Years of ESPN Partnership Celebrated at Perth Amboy High School

The gymnasium at Perth Amboy High School is at capacity with the student body, gearing up for the traditional students vs. teachers basketball game.
5 Min Read

Special Olympics Alaska’s Emily Tymick Named SONA Sports Person of the Year, Credits Longtime Love for Competition

Emily Tymick first got involved with Special Olympics as a volunteer and was hooked quickly, turning it into a career. More than a decade later, she was recognized by her peers as the SONA Sports Person of the Year.
4 Min Read

Sport as a Catalyst for Inclusive Education: The Role of Special Olympics

As the world celebrates the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on 6 April, it's a moment to truly grasp the profound impact that sports have in uplifting those often sidelined within their communities and nations.
3 Min Read

Special Olympics Coaches Pave the Way for Women in Football With the Help of Nike

Over the past nine months, Nike sponsored a Coach+ initiative called the Nike Unified Football Leagues Development project, providing coaches with additional training and growth opportunities.
5 Min Read

Spread the Word Founders, Tim Shriver Jr. and Soeren Palumbo, Join Inclusion Revolution Radio to Celebrate 15 Years of Their Campaign

On this week’s episode of Inclusion Revolution Radio, podcast host Novie Craven spoke with Spread the Word co-founders, Tim Shriver Jr. and Soeren Palumbo.
1 Min Read

Innovative Sports Partnership Creating Thousands of New Special Olympics Golfers

In 2023, Topgolf and Special Olympics joined forces in a new global partnership with one driving ambition – to get more Special Olympics golfers playing the game.
5 Min Read