运动员

Ben Haack is a renaissance man. He’s a Special Olympics Athlete Leader from Australia (including several board assignments), a football (soccer) player and now, he’s added the title of “author” to his list of accomplishments. His book, Reason for Hope: A Parent’s Playbook for Raising Happy and Resilient Kids: Hard Won Lessons from My Life on The Autism Spectrum, published by Belonging Forum, was released on 2 April 2026.

Stefanie Curtis had a different path to Special Olympics. Growing up in Berlin, Germany, there was no local programming for Special Olympics, so she found other ways to stay active as an adolescent.

From February 9 – 10, in Washington, D.C., Special Olympics athletes from 49 U.S. Programs attended more than 365 meetings with their members of Congress, advocating for continued partnership to support the organization’s work in health and education.

Meet powerlifter Aegir Ólafsson, whose life has been shaped by his passion for strength, sport, and competition.

Meet Hafiyyan, a Special Olympics badminton player from Malaysia whose lifelong love for the sport has helped him grow in confidence and purpose.

Special Olympics athletes, Celine and Ionut, were among guest speakers at a recent special event in the European Parliament to honour the amazing career of Special Olympics Global Ambassador Nadia Comăneci – and the power of inclusive sport.

In celebration of National Nutrition Month, Renee Dease met with Special Olympics Michigan staff member, Health Messenger, and athlete, Kayla Cornell, to talk about how she empowers Special Olympics athletes to build healthier habits through practical cooking skills and nutrition education.

Athlete Leaders from Special Olympics Latin America share important messages for World Down Syndrome Day—a day of awareness, solidarity, activism, and celebration.

Before, during, and after the Congress in March; athlete leaders know they’ve been empowered to lead and discuss difficult topics and find solutions to big challenges.

In light of new research from Special Olympics Health published in JAMA Network Open, Renee Dease, a longstanding member of the Special Olympics movement, sat down with Special Olympics Wisconsin athlete and Health Messenger, Heather Holland, to talk about mental health, stigma, and the power of community.

From Regional summits to global platforms, young Special Olympics leaders are not waiting for change; they are leading it.

Talk a little with the athlete leaders going to the Special Olympics North America Athlete Congress in Michigan, and you will notice they have some things in common.