Daina Shilts is a Special Olympics North America snowboarder who has worked with ESPN as a sport reporter at previous Special Olympics World Games, Special Olympics USA Games, and other large sporting events. Shilts was part of ESPN’s coverage at Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 where she was on the ground covering both competition and non-competition events that were broadcast during the 220 hours of live-streaming coverage of the Games on ESPN3 and ESPN+. After Abu Dhabi 2019, Shiltz discussed what the benefits of inclusion are in all levels of sport with Russell Wolff, Executive Vice President & General Manager of ESPN+.
The following is an excerpt from ESPN Front Row’s article, “Daina Shilts looks forward to reporting on Special Olympics World Games for ESPN in Berlin” which details Daina Shilts’ reporting work for ESPN and Special Olympics.
ESPN once again covers the Special Olympics World Games, this time in Berlin, Germany, beginning Saturday at 3 p.m. ET on ABC. ESPN will feature more than 220 hours of live-streaming competition coverage from 13 sports on ESPN+ and ESPN3. (See the complete broadcast schedule on ESPN Press Room).
Special Olympics athlete Daina Shilts has reported the USA or World Games for ESPN since 2018. The snowboarder reflects on her ESPN experiences throughout the years, how she prepares for her reporting role, and why fans should be tuning in to the largest inclusive sports event in the world.