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Stories

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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 Chief Inspiration Officer Loretta Claiborne Shares Her Journey to the World Games with BILD Newspaper in Berlin

The following is an excerpt from an article titled, “SPECIAL OLYMPICS – She is a mega star in the USA” published in BILD newspaper profiling Loretta Claiborne:
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Loretta Claiborne Named a USA TODAY’s Women of the Year 2023

Loretta Claiborne receives USA TODAY's Woman of the Year award alongside other notables such as Michelle Obama.
1 Min Read

Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day with Special Olympics Athlete Ablaye Ndiaye

Down syndrome is the term used to describe a set of cognitive and physical symptoms that can result from having an extra copy or part of a copy of chromosome 21. The theme of World Down Syndrome Day 2023 is “with us not for us.”
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Cool Schools Plunge Takes Over Sandy Point State Park in Record Numbers

There wasn’t a speck of sunlight in the sky as the frigid February wind whistled through the empty beach at Sandy Point State Park outside Annapolis, Maryland.
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The Inclusion Revolution Radio Podcast Welcomes Special Olympics’ Global Partner, Allison+Partners on This Week’s Episode

A global partnership designed to support the shared organizations’ objectives of global inclusion and to increase brand awareness for Special Olympics programming.
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Special Olympics Wins 2023 PRNEWS Award for Gaming for Inclusion Efforts

Special Olympics has been named a winner in the 2023 PRNEWS Awards in the Corporate/Nonprofit Partnership & Diversity and Inclusion Campaign categories.
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Four Year Anniversary of Special Olympics World Games 2019 Abu Dhabi

Special Olympics looks back at the last World Games and a meaningful partnership that established new programs and bolstered education initiatives.
1 Min Read

Leaving Ukraine—How One Little Girl Defied the Odds

She was given-up upon birth once her parents recognized she had a severe and profound intellectual disability. She was left on the doorsteps of a Ukrainian orphanage—mostly invisible to the outside world and largely forgotten, too.
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Special Olympics Malta Athlete Gilmour Borg Shines as a Leader

“Nothing is more important to me than representing Special Olympics”
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European Special Olympics Athletes Impress on the Snow as Sports Season Kicks-off

Alpine and Cross-Country Skiing Europeans take place with hundreds of athletes from 17 countries participating.
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Here’s to the women of Special Olympics!

Extraordinary and talented women worldwide are forging change. At Special Olympics Asia Pacific, we are surrounded by women of grit who smash stereotypes and break biases every day to lead, motivate and bring about much needed change.
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Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver celebrates LEGO’s new, inclusive character line, pushes back against those who deride it

The following is an excerpt from an op-ed written by Special Olympics Chairman Dr. Timothy Shriver titled “Is LEGO's toy diversity 'woke'? There's nothing wrong with visibility for disabilities.,” published in USA Today.
1 Min Read