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The following is an excerpt from the press release, “Special Olympics Announces David Evangelista as New Chief Executive Officer” detailing the appointment of David Evangelista as Special Olympics International’s President and Chief Executive Officer effective 1 January 2026.

[Washington, D.C. – 14 July 2025] The international Board of Directors of Special Olympics is pleased to announce the appointment of David Evangelista as the global movement’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective1 January 1 2026.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed today will see both organisations working even more closely together to bring the joy of inclusive paddle sport to athletes with intellectual disabilities across the region.

Organizations to bring the joy of aquatics to athletes with intellectual disabilities through structured collaboration and inclusive sport development.

For the first time ever, Kanopy streams Special Olympics produced short documentaries.

Driven by Special Olympics advocacy, new legislation marks a breakthrough in inclusion and formal recognition of athletes with intellectual disabilities

Special Olympics spent last week working on the progression of research and evaluation for people with disabilities as it penned a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity.

300 athletes, 26 teams, five countries—as inclusive rugby booms across the region, the Special Olympics France International Flag-Rugby Tournament takes Paris by storm!

Brothers Rolandas and Rimvydas Kriauzliai, aged 24 years old, were part of the winning Lithuanian team at the recent FIBA Open in Mies, Switzerland for the third time in a row. Here, they discuss how their team clinched victory against Italy in a thrilling final, their 17-year journey with Special Olympics and the magic of competing at the FIBA Open!

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.