Natalia Vodianova

[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.

The following is an excerpt from an article in Vogue Italia, highlighting the gala dinner at the Armani/Teatro in Milan on 6 March, featuring an auction to support Special Olympics athletes, including a hand-painted Vespa Primavera.

Dilek Sabancı, Honorary Chairwoman of Special Olympics Turkey, received an award honouring her inspirational efforts to combat taboos and stigmas around women’s health at the recent 2018 "Let's Talk" event in Antalya, Turkey.

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Special Olympics, the 2018 Global Youth Leadership Forum comes to Baku, Azerbaijan from 24 to 28 September.

The Special Olympics International Board of Directors member was among the celebrities and athletes who took part.