About Young Athletes
Special Olympics Young Athletes is an early childhood play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities (ID), ages 2 to 7 years old.
Introduces basic sport skills, like running, kicking and throwing.
Offers families, teachers, caregivers and people from the community the chance to share the joy of sports with all children.
Provides children of all abilities the same opportunities to advance in core developmental milestones.
10.11.23, Weimar, Florian Geier Strasse 81, Young Athletes Sports Day
Foto © Sarah Rauch
Photo by Sarah Rauch/Sarah Rauch
Everyone benefits from Young Athletes
Motor skills
Children with intellectual disabilities who took part in Young Athletes developed motor skills more than twice as fast as others who did not take part.
Sport readiness
Young Athletes helps children get ready to take part in sports when they are older.
Attitudes and expectations
Family members reported raised hopes for their child’s future and more acceptance from those in their communities.
Confidence
Family members whose children participate in Young Athletes saw improvement in their own empowerment and self-efficacy, giving them more confidence to support their child with ID.
Development Skills
Children who took part in YA saw increases in daily living, communication, and social emotional skills as well as decreases in challenging behaviors.
Acceptance
Children who took part in YA saw increases in daily living, communication, and social emotional skills as well as decreases in challenging behaviors.Inclusive play helps children without a disability to better understand and accept others.
Hear what people have to say about Young Athletes
Not only the children enjoy it but we do too … We feel like we got another family. We feel like we are at home.
Parent, Young Athletes Hungary
When my baby was born and I found out that he had an intellectual disability, my world fell apart. At Young Athletes, I see him move about, smiling and mixing freely with others. It makes me cry tears of happiness and restores my hope that he can be independent one day.
Parent, Young Athletes Japan
My son left feeling like a super star.
Parent, Young Athletes Ireland
Stories
Building a healthier future together: Henry Schein and Special Olympics renew partnership through 2030
[Melville, NY (USA) – 18 August 2026] Access to quality healthcare can make a profound difference in a person’s life. Yet for many people with intellectual disabilities (ID), barriers to care remain a daily reality.
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Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026 Day 3 Highlights
The excitement didn't stop on the pitch!At the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup, our Young Athletes program was in full swing, showcasing the power of inclusion and the joy of play for children of all abilities.A huge thank you to our incredible Young Athletes volunteers and staff for bringing the energy, creating unforgettable moments, and making the day a success.
Young Athletes Encouraged to Play in Paris
8 July 2026. Yesterday, at the Charléty Stadium Dojo, 30 children from France with and without intellectual disabilities, participated in Young Athletes, fun motor skills courses as part of the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026 non-competition events.
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The Beautiful Game Kicks Off: Paris hosts the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup 2026
The footballs are packed. The boots are laced. From training grounds across the world, 324 footballers from 23 nations will gather at the Charléty Stadium in the ‘City of Light’ between 6-11 July to compete for the coveted title.
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Building the Foundation for an Inclusive Future
Celebrated annually on 11 June, International Day of Play reminds us that play isn’t just fun; it’s an essential part of childhood development. It’s how children build confidence, communication skills, physical coordination, and social-emotional development—laying the foundation for lifelong learning and well-being. Early childhood play programs like Special Olympics Young Athletes bring this to life.
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A Week of Impact: Showcasing Inclusive Health at Special Olympics Ireland Site Visits
A weeklong series of site visits across Ireland highlighted innovative partnerships, athlete led initiatives, and institutional leadership advancing inclusive health for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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5th World Association for Sport Management Conference Features Keynote Address from Special Olympics Chief of Health Operations
Under the theme “Global Visions, Local Actions: Innovation and Sustainability in Sport Management,” the conference fostered dialogue on sport governance, innovation, sustainability, and the social impact of sport.
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Special Olympics Completes Georgetown University Innovation Hub Fellowship to Advance Young Athletes App
On December 11, 2025, leaders from the Special Olympics Early Childhood Development team successfully completed a 13-week Fellowship with the Georgetown University Thrive Center’s Innovation Hub.
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Lighting the Way Series, Part 4: The Power of Love and Support
Families are at the heart of Special Olympics, championing inclusion, building community, and driving impact every day.
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Young Athletes
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