Stories
These global stories are about the power of Special Olympics to inspire hope, confidence and courage. Special Olympics changes the lives of our athletes with intellectual disabilities but also our coaches, families, volunteers and others who have the opportunity to take part.
A Full Court of Smiles, Special Olympics Iraq Learns the Importance of Oral Health at Special Olympics Healthy Athletes®
For the Special Olympics Iraq floorball team, success isn’t just measured by earning medals, it’s also about taking every opportunity to improve their health.
2 Min Read
Celebrating the Power of Play on International Day of Play
This International Day of Play, Special Olympics is celebrating the joyful, inclusive, and powerful impact of play in the lives of children with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
3 Min Read
Through the Lens in Turin
The Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy was an incredible experience that yielded thousands of magnificent moments.
15 Images
Alex Leimsider’s Journey from Budapest to Judo Gold
At just 17 years old, the Special Olympics Hungary judoka topped the podium at the Special Olympics Judo Festival in Switzerland.
1 Min Read
Seeing Success: Ji-Hua Li's Journey to Improved Vision at the Special Olympics World Winter Games
Special Olympics Chinese-Taipei athlete Ji-Hua knew the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 would be a transformative athletic opportunity, but beyond her goals for competition, she also had a secondary mission: improving her vision.
4 Min Read
From Namibia to Turin: A Journey of Resilience and Dreams
Special Olympics Namibia's journey to the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 was more than just a flight across continents–it was a leap toward new experiences, self-belief, and a future filled with expanded possibilities.
5 Min Read
Special Olympics Athletes Enhance Skills with Coaching at Professional Clubs
Through the Special Champions League project, funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, eight professional football clubs developed teams for almost 550 athletes with intellectual disabilities.
2 Min Read
The House that Started Special Olympics Is Finally Being Recognized
The following is an excerpt from The Washington Post article, “This house started the Special Olympics. It’s finally being recognized”, that explores the legacy of Timberlawn, the Maryland home where Eunice Kennedy Shriver launched Camp Shriver in 1962—planting the seeds for what would become Special Olympics.
1 Min Read
The ‘R-Word’ is Back. How a Slur Became Renormalized
On an April episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” the host used a slur within the first 45 seconds of the show.
9 Min Read
A Story Through Photos: Takeaways from an Internship at Special Olympics
Destiny Stubbs shares her experience interning with the Content and Storytelling Team at Special Olympics, and how the photos from Winter Games tell their own story.
3 Min Read
Special Olympics Advocates: Don’t Leave This Community Out of Mental Health Discussions
The following is an excerpt from The Healthy by Reader’s Digest article, “Special Olympics Advocates: Don’t Leave This Community Out of Mental Health Discussions” on what effective mental health care looks like for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and why inclusion needs to be part of the solution.
1 Min Read
The International Judo Federation and Special Olympics Reinforce Partnership
With the mission of promoting the development of judo worldwide in all sectors of sport, the International Judo Federation and Special Olympics recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen opportunities for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities.
1 Min Read