Texas

Staged under fluorescent lights, an orderly arrangement of turf courts hosts their competition: Special Olympics USA Games bocce athletes and Unified partners, athletes without intellectual disabilities. The courts are identical in nature, with their regulation ball sets, a measuring device, scoreboard and pallino, the target ball players aim to throw closest to in order to score. Only when the athletes enter its confines, does the court begin to change shape, each containing a story of unwavering focus, of overcoming.

Demonstration sessions introduce athletes and coaches to the sport while creating lasting opportunities for badminton’s growth in North America

Special Olympics Texas Equestrian Faith Smyth is featured in the documentary Where the Horse Heal the Soul recently released on streaming platforms.

The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games are heading into its last day of competition, and so many memories have been made.

The second day of competition at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games was cut short due to inclement weather, but not before some memorable moments.

Download the TranscriptOn this second episode of Season 7 of Inclusion Revolution Radio, sponsored by Toyota, host Novie Craven takes listeners on the road for a special edition of the podcast—recorded live at the Special Olympics Texas Summer Games in Melissa, Texas. From 1 – 4 May, thousands gathered for the largest competition of the year for Special Olympics Texas. With over 2,500 participants, including 1,574 athletes, 112 Unified partners and 859 coaches and volunteers, the event showcased the very best of sport, spirit and inclusion.

On this second episode host Novie Craven takes listeners on the road for a special edition of the podcast—recorded live at the Special Olympics Texas Summer Games in Melissa, Texas.

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).

Lorenzo Tijerina, a health messenger for Special Olympics Texas, joins JR. They discuss Lorenzo's desire to help others, his passion for photography and so much more.

Unified Sports athletes Emerson & Julian explain how the Unified Sports program sparked their friendship and what it means to them to continue to grow that program.