Swimming

Special Olympics athletes from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and hosts North Macedonia showcased heart, determination and remarkable skill at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-supported Western Balkans Swimming Competition held in Skopje from 5-7 April.

For World Autism Awareness Day, we highlight the stories and efforts of our athletes for the promotion and advocacy of the full recognition of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), including autism spectrum disorder.

Six individuals to represent Special Olympics Europe Eurasia athletes from 2024 to 2027

Among the racers was Special Olympics Texas runner Kayleigh Williamson who made history as one of the first women with Down syndrome to complete the NYC Marathon (10:09:11).

Kearsty McCoy, a Special Olympics USA swimmer joins JR fresh off her trip to Berlin for the Special Olympics World Games and tells the stories behind her 50-plus medals!

"Nobody judges me or my disability. It's where I feel happy and can be myself."

Caroline Tangitau traveled more than 11,027 miles/17,500 km from New Zealand to Germany to participate in the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 in women’s powerlifting.

Rehan grew up in a part of Libya where people with Down syndrome face widespread discrimination in education, training, and even medical care. Early on, her family had to cope with stigma and her rejection from society.

Taylor MacKenzie sees sports as a great equalizer: when she’s in the water she doesn’t feel any different from other people.

Jaime Cruz Juscamaita wants to build a better world for people with intellectual disabilities—one play, one speech, one competition at a time.