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.
Special Olympics and UPS Extend Global Collaboration to December 2026
Renewed engagement includes a USD 310,000 grant supporting inclusive programming across five regions.
1 Min Read
Special Olympics Health Messenger Valentino Vergotine Speaks at the World Health Summit 2025 in Berlin
“We have to focus on the invisible—the invisible challenges to health services and invisible people, like me.”
3 Min Read
A Landmark Week for Inclusion: Middle East & Africa MATP Coach Training and Health Forum
From October 1 – 5, 2025, Special Olympics Middle East & North Africa (SOMENA) hosted the first-ever Continental MATP Coach Training Seminar and Family Health Forum in Abu Dhabi.
2 Min Read
Special Olympics Athlete Is Leading Change in Healthcare
When Melony Salla, a Special Olympics Indiana athlete, walks into a doctor’s office, she wants to be treated like what she is, the expert on her own body.
2 Min Read
Shared Dreams, One Goal: Serbia’s Unified Volleyball Teams Make Their Mark in Poland
Two Serbian athletes—separated by age but united by the game—proudly represented their country.
6 Min Read
Turning Struggles Into Strength
At 18 years old, Lê Trọng Nguyên (Austin), the only child in his family, Austin has always been surrounded by love at home, but school life was often a different story.
1 Min Read
Special Olympics Asia Pacific Badminton Competition Expands Inclusive Sports Landscape for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the Region
The Special Olympics Asia Pacific Badminton Competition recently wrapped up, with 80 badminton players, including 63 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities and 17 unified partners.
5 Min Read
Bronze Victory for Krystian Fąfara and Team Poland!
The arena in Katowice roared as Team Poland clinched bronze on home soil, defeating Iraq in the duel for third place at the Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup Poland 2025.
4 Min Read
From Blurry to Bright: Colleen’s Path to Diagnosis
In February 2024, Special Olympics New Jersey athlete Colleen Ciecura began experiencing persistent eye discomfort—itching, dryness, and blurry, double vision.
3 Min Read
Special Olympics UAE and Special Olympics Slovakia are Crowned Unified Volleyball World Cup Champions!
After an electric four days and 40 matches played, the inaugural Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup crowns its first-ever champions: Special Olympics United Arab Emirates (Women’s) and Special Olympics Slovakia (Men’s/Mixed).
3 Min Read
Growing Athlete Leadership in Hawaii
When Nikilani Rojas first learned she had been chosen to attend the Special Olympics North America (SONA) Conference, she was at baseball practice.
2 Min Read
From Quiet Struggles to a Wicked Spike: Sonia Ciboldi Rises as Italy Defeats Serbia 2–1
For Sonia Ciboldi, camaraderie goes hand-in-hand with competition as Italy edges Serbia 2–1 and enters the race for fifth place at the Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup Poland 2025.
3 Min Read