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Funding will enable World Refugee Day 2026 activities in Slovakia, Spain and Uganda, strengthening inclusion through sport for refugees and people with intellectual disabilities

Inside Victoria Fertitta Middle School, celebration isn’t just filling the gym—it’s filling every corner of the campus. After years of intentional work to ensure every student feels seen, invited, and valued, the school is marking a milestone: national recognition for inclusion. The school will be recognized by ESPN and Special Olympics North America as a National Banner school. National Banner status is one of the highest honors a school can earn through Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools®—recognizing campuses where inclusion isn’t occasional but embedded in daily culture.

On a day full of inclusion, education and sport, Sports Illustrated covered the ceremony when Bush Hill Elementary School in Alexandria, VA was named an Unified Champion School by Special Olympics.

Inclusive sports events in Cyprus, Italy, Slovakia, and Spain foster hope and belonging for refugees and people with intellectual disabilities

On this episode, ESPN Vice President of Corporate Citizenship Kevin Martinez and Special Olympics Unified with Refugees Advisor Gerald Mballe discuss ESPN’s global partnership with Special Olympics, its impact on athlete stories, inclusive sports programs for refugee youth and new initiatives like Take Back Sports to expand access to play.Download the TranscriptRead the Article

The Global Presenting Sponsor of Unified Sports and Official Broadcaster for the Special Olympics USA and World Games, ESPN’s longstanding partnership with Special Olympics continues to amplify athlete stories worldwide.

[Geneva, Switzerland – 10 September 2025] Special Olympics and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, have signed a new global Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reaffirming their shared commitment to empower refugees of all abilities through the transformative power of sport.

This World Refugee Day, we’re celebrating the remarkable story of Olubunmi and her family—originally from Nigeria and now living in Madrid, Spain—who have used the power of sport, dance and music to bring health, healing and enduring hope into their lives.

Relive the best moments from a memorable Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin. Courtesy of ESPN.

Special Olympics World Winter Games returns for first time since 2017 with ESPN media platforms bringing coverage of the World Winter Games across the globe.