Lions Clubs

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

[Paris, France - 19 February 2026] On 19 February, more than 200 Special Olympics athletes, Unified partners (athletes without intellectual disabilities), and media convened at the City Hall in Paris, France for a landmark moment: the official unveiling of the 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams selected to compete in the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026.

Bhutan’s Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) signed a landmark MoU with Special Olympics Bhutan, outlining a long-term vision to expand Unified Champion Schools® programming.

Ministry of Youth and Sports formalizes agreement to advance inclusive sport and education

Ministry of Youth and Sports formalizes agreement to advance inclusive sport and education

Burkina Faso Takes Bold Step for Inclusion and Empowerment

In February 2024, Special Olympics New Jersey athlete Colleen Ciecura began experiencing persistent eye discomfort—itching, dryness, and blurry, double vision.

[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.

[San Juan, Puerto Rico – 4 September 2025] With just 92 days to go before the first tip-off at Distrito T-Mobile for the inaugural Special Olympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup, Special Olympics Puerto Rico today hosted the official Draw Ceremony for the Cup.

From Kenya to the USA to Ghana, a global effort is reshaping vision care for people with intellectual disabilities.