Latin America

At a book fair in Guatemala City in mid-2024, Athlete Leader Daniel Guerra was doing what he does well, telling the story of people with intellectual disabilities and the barriers they face.

Welcome to a more inclusive Chile! 🥇🇨🇱 Welcome to the Special Olympics World Games Santiago 2027! ------------------------------------------ Bienvenidos a un Chile más inclusivo! 🥇🇨🇱 ¡Bienvenidos a los Juegos Mundiales de Olimpiadas Especiales Santiago 2027!

The world’s largest global celebration of sport and inclusion is coming to Chile, to drive a cultural transformation The first edition of the World Games to be held in Latin America in the 58-year history of Special Olympics

At the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026, Special Olympics coaches spent most of their time plotting against one another’s teams.

After decades of leading teams across her country Panama and Latin America, Iris Mercedes could have stepped away from leadership. Instead, she chose to invest in the next generation of leaders. She joined Special Olympics after an illustrious career in sales & marketing.

[WASHINGTON, D.C. - 13 August 2026] Today, Special Olympics and Topgolf announced an expanded three-year, $1.5 million commitment to grow inclusive golf opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities worldwide.

Significant progress has been made in preparation for the upcoming Special Olympics World Games Santiago 2027. Delegations came together with athletes, the Local Organizing Committee, and Chile’s Minister of Sports, Natalia Duco, and worked intensively in Santiago for three consecutive days to advance preparations for one of the largest sporting events on the planet and the most important in terms of inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which will celebrate its 17th edition.

As Special Olympics celebrates its Global Week of Inclusion from July 20 – 26, media outlets around the world are spotlighting the annual celebration of unity, empowerment and respect.