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.
Click the video to see highlights from Tamira’s talk with Special Olympics Maryland athletes.
During the Special Olympics Maryland “Sports Talks” series, athletes had the opportunity to ask pro-tennis player Tamira Paszek some questions about her approach to playing and competing in Tennis. Tamira, who is from Austria, holds several tennis titles including three Women's Tennis Association championships.
Timothy Shriver Says Inclusion in Schools is Key to Ending Exclusion
Special Olympics Board Chair Timothy Shriver, Ph.D. discusses the important role education plays in addressing society’s dire need for social inclusion.
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Pro-Golfer Padraig Harrington Answers Athletes Questions about Golf Fundamentals
Ten years ago, pro-golfer Padraig Harrington joined Special Olympics as a Global Ambassador and has remained a constant presences ever since.
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Big Show Shows Up Big for Special Olympics Athletes
Big Show is one of the most decorated WWE champions in history, an actor and a Special Olympics Global Ambassador.
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Actress Lily D Moore and Actor Cole Sibus
One of Special Olympics’ newest Champion Ambassadors is also one of the youngest. In many ways, Lily D Moore is a typical teen who enjoys cooking, cheerleading and experimenting with make-up and hairstyles. But as an actress with Down syndrome, she is breaking stereotypes playing Rebecca on the Netflix series Never Have I Ever.
Connecting Through Special Olympics: My Interview with the National Director of Special Olympics Russia
A couple of months ago, I had the opportunity to interview a Special Olympics Japan employee about the pandemic, the differences between our cultures, and our experiences with Special Olympics. I loved the opportunity of doing this and wanted to do it again.
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MLB News Shares Video of New Special Olympics Ambassadors Willson Contreras and Gleyber Torres
Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras and New York Yankees infielder Gleyber Torres express their excitement about being named Global Ambassadors with Special Olympics athletes during Zoom call.
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CDC Shares Special Olympics Mental Health Resources
To address the high rates of mental distress among adults with disabilities, the CDC posted helpful resources, including recommendations for people with intellectual disabilities from Special Olympics.
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Remembering Rafer Johnson
Rafer Johnson was among the earliest and most dedicated supporters of Special Olympics, ever.
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Special Olympics Announce Major Youth Basketball Tournament
Special Olympics Europe Eurasia has today—on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities—announced that the first ever European Unified Youth Basketball Tournament will take place in Sansepolcro, Italy in October 2021.
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Youth Leaders Answering the Call to Build Back Better
It is during these times of the unknown that the need for innovation and creativity emerges. In the following videos, Special Olympics Youth Leaders share how they took on the challenge of a new, virtual normal, and committed to creating innovative projects portraying an uncertain time.
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CDC Quotes Special Olympics Chief Health Officer in Diabetes Resources for People with Disabilities
Special Olympics Chief Health Officer, Dr. Alicia Bazzano, MD, PhD, MPH, explains why people with intellectual disabilities have a higher risk of diabetes than the general population and how Special Olympics is addressing that gap.
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