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.
Jim Bernard Wins 2018 Rick VanderSloot Winter Sports Award
Jim joined Special Olympics Michigan in 1973 at just 12 years old. Learn what advice this veteran athlete offers others.
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Youth Leaders Raise Their Voices in Turkey
The Youth Leadership Program allows our athletes to speak for themselves and lead the inclusion movement in Turkey.
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Shooting for the Stars at NBA All-Star Weekend
Serbian Special Olympics athlete Saska Vuijicic flew to Los Angeles for the NBA Cares All-Star Weekend! Read about her adventure.
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Trial Run for Brand New Figure Skating Rules
The system, also used in the Olympics, will now be a part of Special Olympics competitions for years to come.
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Special Olympics Athletes Honored at 2017 Sport Malta Awards
Rodney Gauci and Yowanna Vassallo were among the winners at the event to recognize Malta’s leading athletes, officials and teams.
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Francesco Alipede Is Dreaming of Success in Abu Dhabi 2019
Volley Week reinforced a determination to follow his dreams - all the way to the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019!
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Delegates Made Case for Critical Funding on Capitol Hill
Special Olympics athletes, program leaders, unified partners, and family members converged on Capitol Hill on February 13.
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Kaarel Hermaküla Shows What a Difference a Year Makes
The Special Olympics Estonian athlete made his skiing debut in 2017 and is now an international competitor. Learn about his rapid rise.
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On the Margins: Committing to Actions
When Eunice Kennedy Shriver hosted the first ever summer camp for people with intellectual disabilities in her backyard, it would have been hard to imagine that 50 years down the line, Special Olympics would be taking the lead to discuss an urgent issue in today’s society, the marginalisation of those already on the margins, namely, refugees with intellectual disabilities.
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2018 Special Olympics Middle-East / North Africa 9th Regional Games
The 2018 Special Olympics Middle-East / North Africa (MENA) 9th Regional Games is the region's largest multi-sports event for athletes with intellectual disabilities of 2018.
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Special Olympics MENA Programs Regional Training
The seminar took place in Cairo, Egypt in January. Representatives from eight countries in the region attended the training.
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Bharat Athlete Leaders Attend Leadership Academy
A new group of Special Olympics leaders completed the Leadership Academy workshop in Kolkata, India.
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