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.
Special Olympics Athlete Goes Above and Beyond With the FBI
Kevin Brown has overcome just about every obstacle put in front of him. He’s never let failure or people giving him a hard time stop him from doing what he loves. But most of all, he puts others first, leads by example and goes above and beyond, even in these uncertain times.
5 Min Read
Special Olympics Programs Throughout North America Pivot to Host Virtual Summer Games
All Special Olympics Programs are experiencing a new kind of normal in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing all to go virtual this year.
6 Min Read
One Spirit. One Heart.
Special Olympics Joins the United Through Sports Virtual Youth Festival
1 Min Read
Special Olympics Athlete Hanna Joy Atkinson Shares Her Story on Today Show
Hanna Joy Atkinson, a Special Olympics Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger and athlete from Colorado, recently appeared on Today with Hoda & Jenna to talk about the inspiration behind her contribution to the new book “Channel Kindness: Stories of Kindness and Community.”
1 Min Read
From Fear to Triumph: Meet Stephanie
Through sports, Special Olympics athletes build skills and become leaders—on the field and in the community. Stephanie Handojo can tell you all about it! For Stephanie, swimming has been a great way to shatter stereotypes about the skills and stamina of people with Down syndrome. But to do this, she had to overcome many obstacles, including a huge one: her fear of water.
1 Min Read
Nitzeida: Working for Inclusion All Her Life
Nitzeida was 11 when her mother died and her grandmother took her in, even as some of her siblings were living in the streets of Panama City. These were rough times, but one day Nitzeida saw something that gave her hope.
1 Min Read
Timothy Shriver Recollects Some of His Life’s Most Impactful Moments
Life Beyond Sport podcast host Nick Keller recently asked Special Olympics Board of Director Chairman Timothy Shriver, Ph.D about the three most transformative sports moments of his life.
1 Min Read
National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Practice Inclusion During Down Syndrome Month and All Year Long
2 Min Read
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
Bullying is Common, Especially for People With Intellectual Disabilities
2 Min Read
Maureen McCormick Discusses Advocating for Inclusion on FOX Sports Radio
Special Olympics Global Ambassador Maureen McCormick recently spoke to Kelsey Nicole Nelson on KNN/Fox Sports Radio. They discussed family members with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics sporting competition, Unified Champion Schools and Inclusive Health.
1 Min Read
Why the R-Word Is the R-Slur
Practice Inclusion: End the Use of the R-Word
The research shows that when social media users are posting about people with intellectual disabilities, 7 in every 10 of those posts are negative, and 6 in 10 contain a slur.
2 Min Read
Willson Contreras and Gleyber Torres Global Ambassador Announcement is a Home Run
Major League Baseball All-Stars Willson Contreras and Gleyber Torres joined Special Olympics as the first MLB players to be named Global Ambassadors.
1 Min Read