Young Athletes
Special Olympics Young Athletes, a sport and play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities (ID), ages 2 to 7 years old, offers families, teachers, caregivers and people from the community the chance to share the joy of sports with all children.
Special Olympics Showcases Inclusion and Innovation at AAIDD 2025
Members of the Special Olympics International Health and Unified Champion Schools (UCS) teams attended and presented at the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) Conference from 23 – 25 June 2025.
8 Min Read
Celebrating the Power of Play on International Day of Play
This International Day of Play, Special Olympics is celebrating the joyful, inclusive, and powerful impact of play in the lives of children with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
3 Min Read
Faces of Inclusion: Raising Yilu
Follow the inspiring journey of Zhao Yilu, a Special Olympics East Asia athlete.
3 Min Read
The Light Bulb Moment
Magic happened in Turin when the Sargent Shriver Global Messengers (SSGMs) connected with a group of talented college students to capture photos and spark a passion for storytelling.
4 Min Read
Breaking Barriers: Lessons Learned as a Young Athletes Intern at Special Olympics International
Dylan Brown shares her journey from volunteering at Special Olympics, to interning at their headquarters, emphasizing the profound impact of inclusion and early intervention for children with intellectual disabilities.
4 Min Read
Young Athletes Make History at Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025
[Turin, Italy, 12 March 2025] An unforgettable celebration of inclusion and joy united 2,000 children across Italy through Young Athletes, an early childhood play program.
1 Min Read
Young Athletes Take the Floor
Pala Giani Asti was a party this morning as over 200 children from 7 area schools gathered for Special Olympics Young Athletes.
1 Min Read
Faces of Inclusion: YangLingZi School Championing Inclusion
In the heart of its region, YangLingZi School serves as a model of Unified Champion Schools, a place where students of all abilities come together to learn, play, and grow side by side.
4 Min Read
Tim Shriver and Tony Snell Speak Up for Parents of Children with Intellectual Disabilities
The following is an excerpt from an op-ed in Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper, written by Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver and professional basketball player Tony Snell:
1 Min Read
The UPS Foundation Progresses Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities with US $92K Grant to Special Olympics in Asia
In a world where the need for inclusion is increasingly urgent, The UPS Foundation has pledged US$92K to support Special Olympics Young Athletes programming.
2 Min Read