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.
Government and Special Olympics Bosnia & Herzegovina Working Together Through COVID-19
Edna Sunjic is among the athletes of Special Olympics Bosnia and Herzegovina who currently leads a series of training sessions to help motivate her peers across the country.
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Special Olympics Gibraltar Athlete Supporting his Community Through COVID-19
Special Olympics Gibraltar athlete Francis Mauro has courageously volunteered to continue working as a Messenger on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis at a hospital in Gibraltar.
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A Mother Reflects on Teamwork between Parents and Coaches
Ratna Mohd Zain’s daughter Nadhrah is a swimmer with Special Olympics Singapore. Ratna believes parents need to play their part to work in tandem with coaches to bring out the best in their children.
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Special Olympics Lithuania Baller Finds his Voice at Euroleague OneTeam Sessions
Last February, a group of basketball players from Special Olympics Lithuania had a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience—they participated in workshops at the top basketball club in the country, Zalgiris Kaunas!
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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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