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Health Messenger

In the foreground, a woman stands holding a red hoop while a child throws a orange ball with a multicolor tail through it. Another child using a mobility walker is nearby. The room has a wooden floor and a brightly painted mural on the wall depicting hills, buildings, clouds, birds, and water.
Community Impact

A Week of Impact: Showcasing Inclusive Health at Special Olympics Ireland Site Visits

A weeklong series of site visits across Ireland highlighted innovative partnerships, athlete led initiatives, and institutional leadership advancing inclusive health for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
6 Min Read
A two-photo collage shows two individuals smiling for a picture.
Athletes

Finding Strength in Community: Heather’s Mental Health Journey

In light of new research from Special Olympics Health published in JAMA Network Open, Renee Dease, a longstanding member of the Special Olympics movement, sat down with Special Olympics Wisconsin athlete and Health Messenger, Heather Holland, to talk about mental health, stigma, and the power of community.
3 Min Read
Three individuals sit next to each other during a panel discussion.
In the News

Special Olympics Health Messenger Valentino Vergotine Speaks at the World Health Summit 2025 in Berlin

“We have to focus on the invisible—the invisible challenges to health services and invisible people, like me.”
3 Min Read
WWE Superstar Bianca Belair and Special Olympics North Carolina Athlete Judy Nutter
Athletes

The Mirror Image Project: Special Olympics Athletes Shine as Global Icons

The Mirror Image Project is a social media campaign by Special Olympics that invites Special Olympics athletes to recreate famous photos of Special Olympics Global Ambassadors or celebrity supporters.
1 Min Read
A two-photo collage. The photo on the left includes a group photo of athletes standing for a group photo and holding individual certificates. The photo on the right shows a classroom setting with athletes and mentors sitting down as they listen to a presentation.
Athletes

Advocates in Action: Special Olympics Health Messenger Trainings

This summer, Special Olympics International and Special Olympics North America teamed up to host two Health Messenger training sessions in Washington, D.C. and Kansas City, KS, training 26 athletes from 10 states.
2 Min Read
Four women stand next to each other for a photo with purple drapes hanging in the background.
Community Impact

Special Olympics Showcases Inclusion and Innovation at AAIDD 2025

Members of the Special Olympics International Health and Unified Champion Schools (UCS) teams attended and presented at the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) Conference from 23 – 25 June 2025.
8 Min Read
A group of individuals sit in a conference room with a projector in the middle showing a PowerPoint titled “Rosemary Collaboratory.”
Community Impact

Special Olympics Morocco Launches a National Coalition

Special Olympics Morocco launches a national coalition dedicated to championing equal, inclusive, and dignified healthcare for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
1 Min Read
A man in a conference room sits down in front of a table with a microphone as he speaks to a group of representatives.
In the News

Special Olympics Health Messenger David Duncan Gives Opening Remarks at the Launch of the WHO’s Global Initiative on Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations

Today, Special Olympics is looking back at all the fathers, father-figures, and grandfathers who, through the power of sport, have helped raise, support, coach, and love Special Olympics athletes around the world.
2 Min Read
Two individuals sit down and have a conversation.
Athletes

Athlete Perspective: The Importance of Inclusive Research and Evaluation

Special Olympics Minnesota athlete, Kayte Barton shares her experience as an athlete, participant, and Athlete Advisory Board Member for Project ALL STAR, while highlighting Special Olympics’ unique role in advancing inclusive research and evaluation.
5 Min Read
Turin 2025: Sargent Shriver Global Messenger Gilmour Borg's Speech at Opening Ceremony
Videos

Turin 2025: Sargent Shriver Global Messenger Gilmour Borg's Speech at Opening Ceremony

Gilmour Borg is a Special Olympics Malta athlete, a Sargent Shriver Global Messenger, and a Special Olympics Health Messenger.
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