Thailand

[Paris, France – 16 April 2026] The road to the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026 took a major step forward as the official tournament Draw Ceremony was held at the headquarters of the French Football Federation in Paris on 16 April.

There are 50,739 Athlete Leaders worldwide, with 34.6% more men serving in these roles than women. The Women Play, Women Lead initiative is working to address this issue.

[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 Special Olympics Asia Pacific Badminton Competition recently wrapped up, with 80 badminton players, including 63 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities and 17 unified partners.

Special Olympics was in the spotlight at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) as Special Olympics Ireland badminton athlete Jonathan Deering delivered a keynote address focused on the power of the sport at the BWF Members’ Forum held in Xiamen, China at the end of April.

Sitthiphon Phisajarn‘s story of perseverance, passion, and determination to be able to compete alongside, and against, his twin brother at World Games Berlin 2023.

Special Olympics Thailand partners with Youth Leaders from a local university to create learning tools for students with intellectual disabilities.

11 May 2022 – Last week, Special Olympics participated in the Badminton World Federation’s 10th Members’ Forum and Annual General Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand.

When Jad was born in Thailand and diagnosed with Down syndrome, his mother was overcome with sadness and disappointment.

When Fahsai Saejang was born, her diagnosis—Down Syndrome and a hole in her heart—came as a shock.