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.
Turin 2025 Home Hope: Ugo Valentini Swaps Tennis Racket For Snowboard Boots
Multi-sports talent balances training for the Special Olympics World Winter Games with driving lessons
3 Min Read
Black History Month – Theresa Simms-Smith’s Life-Long Dedication to Inclusivity
This February, Special Olympics is celebrating Black History Month and spotlighting an integral member of the Special Olympics team, Theresa Simms-Smith, Special Olympics’ Business Services Manager.
2 Min Read
Special Olympics ‘Superpowers’ on Display at the Super Bowl
Special Olympics Unified reporters Malcom Harris-Gowdie and Wyatt Spalding teamed up with Fansided to conduct over 30 interviews in the lead up to Super Bowl LIX.
2 Min Read
Raja Dalis, Special Olympics Illinois Mother, Emphasizes the Power of Community
When Raja Dalis couldn't find the resources she wanted as the parent of a child with an intellectual disability, she created them, finding a new community along the way.
3 Min Read
Unified On and Off the Court: Ines and Jasmin’s Winning Floorball Connection
Special Olympics Germany Unified duo is ready to compete in the World Winter Games Turin 2025
3 Min Read
Empowering Mentors: The First SOMENA Athlete Leaders Mentors Training in Abu Dhabi
From December 16 – 17, 2024, Abu Dhabi hosted the First Special Olympics Middle East / North Africa Athlete Leaders Mentors Training.
4 Min Read
Special Olympics MENA Athlete Leadership Congress 2024: Empowering Inclusion and Leadership
From November 27 – 30, 2024, the Special Olympics MENA Athlete Leadership Congress (RALC) made history in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as the first leadership-focused Special Olympics event hosted in the Kingdom.
6 Min Read
Unified Champion Schools: Transformative Impacts Across Europe Eurasia
In schools across Europe Eurasia, students are redefining what it means to be inclusive through Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools (UCS).
1 Min Read
Shane’s Journey of Determination to World Winter Games
If you were to see Shane François Bentley today—gliding on the ice, defending on the soccer field, or diving into a swimming pool—you’d never guess the mountain of challenges he’s had to overcome.
3 Min Read
Black History Month – Highlighting Venisha Bowler’s Incredible Work on Inclusive Sport
This February, Special Olympics is celebrating Black History Month by highlighting Venisha Bowler, Director of Sport Competition Management, an instrumental part of the organization for more than three decades.
3 Min Read
Leaving Low Expectations Behind: Meet Shirnel
Shirnel Swarts is a bright light wherever she shines—and she’s been shining a lot lately. A talented athlete, Shirnel is excited to be training for her second Special Olympics World Winter Games!
1 Min Read
Sports Excellence as Tradition: Gonzalo Gets Ready for Turin
Gonzalo Escobar Wernli grew up with a love for winter sports—and a talent for them, too. And why wouldn’t he? He enjoyed early instruction from his grandfather, Claudio Wernli, who was a competitive skier in the 1964 Winter Olympics in Austria, among other events.
1 Min Read