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.
Padraig Harrington on ‘Coaching the Coaches’ of Special Olympics
Special Olympics Global Ambassador Padraig Harrington was recently interviewed by Alan Brazil and his colleagues at the Alan Brazil Breakfast Show on talkSPORT, the world’s biggest sports radio station.
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National Teacher Appreciation Week
Whether from school or from home, the teachers of Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® ensure that meaningful opportunities are present for students of all abilities in and out of the classroom.
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Legacy of Abu Dhabi Improves Health in Africa for People with Intellectual Disabilities
MedFest is sometimes the first exposure athletes have to medical care and in many cases, life-threatening conditions have been found and subsequently treated.
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Learn more about Loretta Claiborne: 50-year Special Olympics Athlete & Chief Inspiration Officer
Loretta Claiborne was born the middle of seven children in a poor, single-parent family in York, Pennsylvania. Partially blind and with intellectual disabilities, she was unable to walk or talk until four-years-old. Today, Claiborne is an accomplished athlete, motivational speaker, member of the Special Olympics International Board of Directors, and Chief Inspiration Officer for Special Olympics.
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Special Olympics Research Published in the Official Journal of the American Association on Health and Disability
Special Olympics Fitness models show promise as a health intervention for people with intellectual disabilities
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Special Olympics Provides Dental Care for the Most Marginalized
Attentive dental care is essential to an athlete’s overall health and well-being says Dr. Alicia Bazzano, Special Olympics Chief Health Officer, in a recent article she wrote for Dentistry Today. In it, she addressed how gaps in preventive care often lead to serious health issues for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
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Special Olympics Athlete and ESPN Anchor Reflect on Long-Time Friendship as Source of Strength
Alison Smith, Special Olympics Connecticut athlete, recently interviewed her long-time friend Kenny Mayne, Anchor on ESPN’s SportsCenter.” They discussed keeping positive while staying home due to the spread of COVID-19/coronavirus.
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Lots to Smile About
Cindy has spent decades building skills and confidence, as well as being a role model to people with—and without—intellectual disabilities (ID). Yet, she faced a common obstacle to confidence when serious dental issues led to her losing a tooth.
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Special Olympics CEO Mary Davis Highlights Female Athletes in ISportConnect Interview
In part one of a two part article, Special Olympics CEO Mary Davis reflects on the growth of inclusion movement.
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Staying Active with Young Athletes at Home
Young Athletes provides children, ages 2 – 7, with fun and engaging activities to stay fit and healthy. This is especially important while spending so much time indoors due to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic.
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LETR Rhode Island Sends Care Packages to the Special Olympics Athletes in Need
Special Olympics athletes and others living in group facilities are at heightened risk of contracting COVID-19. The Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) Council of Rhode Island found a creative way to support this vulnerable population.
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Leading with Empathy in an Uncertain World
This world right now is going through a once in a lifetime event, that has put us on the brink. Yet through that, a unique organisation has some very powerful yet simple messages coming from an even more unique group of people who have never been on the global radar.
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