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.
Taking “Play Unified” to the Next Level
Special Olympics is all about bringing out the best in everyone. Special Olympics Unified Sports, which brings together people with and without intellectual disabilities, takes this transformation to another level. Now, meet a Unified Basketball team from Florida, USA that’s taking the power of “playing unified” to the global level at the 2023 World Games in Berlin.
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World Games Spotlight: Rehan Ali, Libya
Rehan grew up in a part of Libya where people with Down syndrome face widespread discrimination in education, training, and even medical care. Early on, her family had to cope with stigma and her rejection from society.
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World Games Spotlight: Ella Curtis, Great Britain
It's been a hard road for Ella to become a cycling champion—literally. At age six, she had a traumatic fall from her bike; for years, the fear of falling and of the pain never left her. Ella, who has Down syndrome, was terrified and would shake with fear at even the suggestion of a bike ride.
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World Games Spotlight: Anas Khalil Al-Zerba, Palestine
Anas Al-Zerba has made a name for himself as a role model for people with intellectual disabilities, for people with Down syndrome—and for everybody else!
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Special Olympics South Africa featured in Cape Town ETC ahead of Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023
The following is an excerpt from the article titled “Special Olympics South Africa National Team launches its ‘Road to Berlin’” in Cape Town ETC newspaper:
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Exceptional Parent Magazine Digs into Special Olympics Athlete Eric Massey’s Training Regime and Healthy Lifestyle
The following is an excerpt from the article titled “Two Billion Steps Later, Athletes Continue Leading the Way on the Road to Fitness” found on page 38 of Exceptional Parent Magazine.
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Special Olympics Athletes Announce NFL Draft Pick for Minnesota Vikings
Two athletes from Special Olympics Missouri and Special Olympics Kansas had the honor of co-announcing the 141st pick in the 2023 NFL Draft for the Minnesota Vikings. Richard Scott and Josh Alters, both passionate multi-sport athletes, were chosen to make the pick.
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Special Olympics Athletes Compete in the Second Challenge Family Triathlon Series
The second annual Special Olympics European Triathlon Open Competition, as part of the Challenge Family Triathlon Series and hosted by Special Olympics Slovakia, took place this past weekend 18 – 22 May in Samorin, Slovakia.
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Special Olympics Runners and Supporters Run the 127th Boston Marathon
On 17 April, Special Olympics runner Trent Hampton took part in the historic 127th Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts.
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PMIEF Announces More Than US$5 Million Worth of Grants to Help Seven Youth-Focused Non-Profits Shape the Next Generation of Leaders
Through the partnership with PMIEF, SO Ukraine will work with an organization named Reigniting Inclusion Across Ukraine to train staff, coaches and athletes on program management and rebuild inclusive youth programming across Ukraine.
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Shimmie and Shake Your Way Into #InternationalDanceDay with Special Olympics Athletes
Join Special Olympics athletes as they celebrate International Dance Day on 29 April. The day is recognized around the world by the Dance Committee of the International Theater Institute who is the main partnership of the performing arts of United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Tune in to learn more about the Special Olympics Festival at the World Games with Natalie Ullrich
In this week’s episode, Josh and Novie spoke with Natalie Ullrich, senior manager of the Special Olympics Festival at the World Games.
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