Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Find Special Olympics Near Me
We are helping to make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place—one athlete, one volunteer, one family member at a time.
Your Program
Based on your location, your local program is %location%.
Your location could not be automatically determined. Choose a program below:
Your Special Olympics Local Program:
Looking for a different local program? Choose a program from the list below:

Sargent Shriver Global Messengers 2018 – 2023

Inclusion At Work: Meet Kurtis

Kurtis Jon Siu grew up in Hong Kong in a family of four, with an older brother who also has an intellectual disability. Kurtis credits Special Olympics with building his confidence, not only in sports but also by encouraging him to pursue his passions. One of those passions is art and design!
1 Min Read

Meet Brina

Brina faced many obstacles in early life, but she never gave up on her dream of being included. Today, she is a teacher, public speaker, and role model to all! #ChooseToInclude talented athletes like Brina. Sign the pledge @WeChallengeYou.org/pledge.

Rodney Hankins Adds Spirit to Coaching Special Olympics

Special Olympics New York Rodney Hankins shifted his focus to coaching after many years of competing.
5 Min Read

Be Brave

Stephanie Handojo discusses pushing past hurdles in life.
3 Min Read

Haseeb Abbasi strives for inclusion as an Athlete, Author and now Entrepreneur

Special Olympics athlete and author Haseeb Abbasi shares his inspirational journey to entrepreneurship at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi.
2 Min Read

Special Olympics Athlete Steps into Leadership Role: in Community, at Work and in Movement

There he is, alone, with mother nature. Unlacing his shoes and removing his socks, he walks barefoot on the Iowa soil. Depending on the day, a shadow might reflect off the cool grass. The crisp sharpness of the earth glides across his skin helping Tyler Leech disconnect from the world.
4 Min Read

Celebrating United Nations Day

In 2020, the United Nations marks 75 years of working toward “peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.” On United Nations Day, we celebrate the UN’s work with a look at some of the Special Olympics athlete leaders, from around the world, who have spoken before UN audiences throughout the years.
1 Min Read

Special Olympics Athlete Turns Passion for Politics into Career

Born with Down syndrome, Reilly defies stereotypes every day through sport, leadership and employment, exemplifying the value people with intellectual disabilities bring to all facets of life.
5 Min Read

Special Olympics Athlete Hanna Joy Atkinson Shares Her Story on Today Show

Hanna Joy Atkinson, a Special Olympics Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger and athlete from Colorado, recently appeared on Today with Hoda & Jenna to talk about the inspiration behind her contribution to the new book “Channel Kindness: Stories of Kindness and Community.”
1 Min Read

Kindness is What We All Need

This blog article, written by Hanna Joy Atkinson, a Special Olympics Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger, was originally posted by Special Olympics North America. Lady Gaga recently interviewed Hanna who served as a reporter for Lady Gaga’s Channel Kindness, the digital platform for her Born This Way Foundation.
2 Min Read