Unified Champion Schools

On a day full of inclusion, education and sport, Sports Illustrated covered the ceremony when Bush Hill Elementary School in Alexandria, VA was named an Unified Champion School by Special Olympics.

When the Philippines joined the Global Coalition for Inclusion, it marked a significant milestone for the Asia Pacific region and reinforced a growing commitment to inclusive education.

[Johannesburg, South Africa - 24 February 2026] Today, the Special Olympics Africa Regional Youth Leadership Summit kicked off in Johannesburg, bringing together youth with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to build leadership skills and strengthen youth-led change across schools and communities.

Bhutan’s Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) signed a landmark MoU with Special Olympics Bhutan, outlining a long-term vision to expand Unified Champion Schools® programming.

[Washington, DC, USA - 22 January 2026] Special Olympics has issued a powerful global call to action, warning that the world is facing a critical shortage of teachers that threatens the future of millions of students, most critically, learners with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Special Olympics Saudi Arabia entered the Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup with a mission grounded in competitive drive.

All youth deserve the chance to learn, lead, and thrive. The Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity is committing US$11 million to the Special Olympics Global Center for Inclusion in Education. Through this partnership, we are proud to continue to scale a movement dedicated to building more inclusive schools and societies worldwide. Together, we are shaping a future where every young person is valued, celebrated, and belongs.

[Abu Dhabi, UAE – September 25, 2025] The Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity has announced an US$11 million grant to the Abu Dhabi-based Special Olympics Global Center for Inclusion in Education to significantly expand its Unified Champion Schools (UCS) initiative, a transformative program that advances social inclusion for youth with and without intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics Rhode Island coach Lindsey Smith has always been drawn to sports.

Youth Empowered, Leaders Inspired is a storytelling series that highlights the journeys of individuals who got their start with Special Olympics at a young age—and never looked back.