North America
Kay Center Provides Employment and Sport Opportunities to People with Intellectual Disabilities
A lifelong sports fan, Todd Youngblood came to the Kay Community Service Center, a day program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) located in Fort Valley, Georgia, in 1995 and was immediately put to work.
3 Min Read
Nashville Selected as Host of 2034 Special Olympics USA Games
[Nashville, TN – 29 October 2025] Nashville will proudly serve as the host city for the 2034 Special Olympics USA Games. The bid committee and Special Olympics North America announced the selection and signed a letter of agreement during a ceremony at Bridgestone Arena.
4 Min Read
Six Majors, One Message: More Than a Marathon
In this episode, Novie Craven sits down with Thomas Cantara, a Special Olympics New Hampshire athlete who has completed all six World Marathon Majors—Boston, Berlin, Chicago, London, New York City and Tokyo.
1 Min Read
National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Special Olympics Athletes in the Workplace
October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), recognizing the contributions of people with disabilities in the workforce and reaffirming our commitment to inclusive employment.
3 Min Read
Special Olympics Athlete Is Leading Change in Healthcare
When Melony Salla, a Special Olympics Indiana athlete, walks into a doctor’s office, she wants to be treated like what she is, the expert on her own body.
2 Min Read
From Blurry to Bright: Colleen’s Path to Diagnosis
In February 2024, Special Olympics New Jersey athlete Colleen Ciecura began experiencing persistent eye discomfort—itching, dryness, and blurry, double vision.
3 Min Read
Special Olympics UAE and Special Olympics Slovakia are Crowned Unified Volleyball World Cup Champions!
After an electric four days and 40 matches played, the inaugural Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup crowns its first-ever champions: Special Olympics United Arab Emirates (Women’s) and Special Olympics Slovakia (Men’s/Mixed).
3 Min Read
Growing Athlete Leadership in Hawaii
When Nikilani Rojas first learned she had been chosen to attend the Special Olympics North America (SONA) Conference, she was at baseball practice.
2 Min Read
Christy Sovereign is Leading the Charge for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
The following is an article by FanSided, who interviewed Christy Sovereign, the CEO of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games on her involvement with Special Olympics and the preparation of the Games.
5 Min Read
Behind the Mic: From Tennis Mishaps to Million-View Milestones
Host Novie Craven welcomes podcast producer Alex Padalino and Chris Bence to share the story behind the show’s creation, its impact and the role of partnership in building a platform for inclusion.
1 Min Read