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.
Volunteering With Special Olympics Swaziland Changed Me
Ntombi Nkambule was inspired to get involved with Special Olympics to help improve understanding and acceptance among communities.
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Swiss-Ski President Signs Deal With Special Olympics Switzerland
The convention shall promote inclusive sports and training offerings within the Swiss-Ski association.
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European Basketball Week 2017 Highlights
Thirty-five countries sent athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to compete. See how it all came together.
Urgent Enough—Building Healthy Communities
The founding of the Special Olympics Healthy Communities program in 2012 filled an urgent need for care for athletes around the world.
Ahmad Hayek: Team Lebanon skier
Outsiders sometimes forget that Lebanon is a mountainous country, where summits can top 10,000 feet.
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Daina Shilts: The Power of Sports—and Unity
She won bronze at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games and has competed alongside her longtime role-model Hannah Teter.
Newly elected inclusive committee 'hits the ground running'
In December 2016 the newly elected regional inclusive Youth Activation Committee met for the first time in Frankfurt, Germany to discuss how to develop youth engagement in their own programs and throughout Europe-Eurasia.
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Team Ecuador Trains for the World Games
Carlos and his teammates grew up together playing Special Olympics sports. Ahead of the World Summer Games, they trained together.
Leo and Gedeon: Hope in Haiti
Haitian athletes Leo and Gedeon played wherever they could as they trained for the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
Donghan Kim: To Bring Honor to Korea
He dreamed of competing in an endurance sport -- open water swimming -- in the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens.
Making a Difference, One Athlete at a Time
Some 3,000 coaches support and train the athletes who compete at Special Olympics World Games. Their impact can last a lifetime.
Special Olympics World Games 2019 in Abu Dhabi
For the first time, Special Olympics World Games will be held in the Middle East. Let the countdown begin!