Athletes

The moment has come: The Special Olympics Flame of Hope™ was lit by a high priestess in Athens, Greece, in a solemn ceremony at the historic temple Zappeion Megaron. The flame will now be sent on its journey before arriving at the Opening Ceremony at Olympiastadion on 17 June.

This excerpt is from the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023’s article, “Our athletes model for VOGUE Germany.”

James Day Keith of Special Olympics Massachusetts. joins JR. They discuss James bursting onto the Hollywood scene with his role in "Champions" and his family legacy as Special Olympics Hall of Famers.

Jessy Lane is a dedicated, diligent athlete who doesn't give up easily. That's also how she lost 100 pounds: through steady & consistent training. Now she’s in great shape and thrilled to take her training to her first Special Olympics World Games golfing competition!

Special Olympics Rhode Island athlete and Administrative Assistant & Athlete Leadership Specialist Mary-Ellen Powers speaks with JR before her trip to Berlin for the Global Athlete Congress. Mary-Ellen began her involvement in Special Olympics in high school and has now worked for Special Olympics Rhode Island for almost twelve years. Mary-Ellen shares her love of Special Olympics and competing as an athlete with JR.

Jamaican athlete and Special Olympics employee David Duncan speaks with JR ahead of the Global Athlete Congress. David began his Special Olympics journey as a volunteer, and now he is one of the select representatives helping chart the course for athletes around the world. The Global Athlete Congress will meet in June (2023) at the Special Olympics World Games, which gives athletes a voice and agency in charting their own path forward. David explains to JR why the employment of Special Olympics athletes is of such importance to him that he is bringing the cause to the forefront of the discussion at the World Games.

Polish judoka wants “to be the best” in Berlin

The New York Red Bulls hosted a Unified Soccer team. After the game JR spoke with Isabelle Noonan and Shaeleigh Fleidner-Book about their experience playing on the professional field and more importantly, how Unified Sports is both a "movement and a message."

Special Olympics Athlete and Special Olympics Maryland Digital Media Coordinator Adam Hays joins JR to discuss the "inclusion revolution" and share his own story about how a boy born with hydrocephalus (commonly referred to as "water on the brain") and who underwent more than 30 brain surgeries can go on to win two gold medals at the USA Games and represent all athletes as one of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg team members at the Special Olympic World Games in Athens, Greece. When others have doubted Adam, he has proved them wrong by living a full life and achieving some of his wildest dreams

Special Olympics programs and badminton Member Associations are working hard in close collaboration preparing athletes to shine on the world stage at the Special Olympics World Games badminton competition in Berlin this June.