Find Special Olympics Near Me

We are helping to make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place—one athlete, one volunteer, one family member at a time.

Your Program

Based on your location, your local program is %location%.

Your location could not be automatically determined. Choose a program below:

Your Special Olympics Local Program:

Looking for a different local program? Choose a program from the list below:

Map=Africa.png

Map=Asia Pacific.png

Map=East Asia.png

Map=Europe Eurasia.png

Map=Latin America.png

Middle East North Africa

Map=Middle East North Africa.png

Map=North America.png

Community Impact

Leadership on Full Display During the Global Athletes Congress

The Special Olympics' Global Athletes Congress is serving as a platform where Special Olympics athletes lead the way to a more inclusive world. Leading athletes representing all over the world will share ideas and develop leadership skills in order to reach their full potential through leadership roles in Special Olympics, their communities and their workplace.

The objective of the Global Congress of athletes is to create inclusive communities, with the Dominican Republic leading the way, committed to the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in all aspects of society. The official slogan Stand Up for Inclusion reflects the commitment of the citizenship to create an inclusive society, guaranteeing respect for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities.

Global Ambassadors and youth leaders gather for a group photo in the Dominican Republic sitting on the stairs inside a building with plants on either side of the group.

Global Ambassadors and youth leaders gather for a group photo in the Dominican Republic.

Photo by Will Schermerhorn

Female leaders from around the globe engage in conversation during the Global Athletes Congress workshop. They all are sitting at a round table talking to one another and looking over and through notebooks.

Female leaders from around the globe engage in conversation during the Global Athletes Congress workshop.

Photo by Will Schermerhorn

Julio Barrera, President of the Athlete Leaders Regional Council of Latin America delivers a speech during the opening ceremony.

Julio Barrera, President of the Athlete Leaders Regional Council of Latin America delivers a speech during the opening ceremony.

Photo by Will Schermerhorn

Loretta ClaiborneVice Chair, Board of Directors, Loretta Claiborne speaks on leadership and standing up for inclusion during the opening ceremony on stage. behind her is a big drop panel that says Special Olympics Leaders for Inclusion

Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Loretta Claiborne speaks on leadership and standing up for inclusion during the opening ceremony.

Photo by Will Schermerhorn

First Lady of the Dominican Republic, Cándida Montilla de Medina speaks on partnering with the Special Olympics for the Global Athletes Congress

First Lady of the Dominican Republic, Cándida Montilla de Medina speaks on partnering with the Special Olympics for the Global Athletes Congress.

Photo by Will Schermerhorn

International Global Messenger, Brightfield Shadi leads a dance party to loosen up the Global Athletes Congress attendees. Two additional athletes accompany him, an older male and a female.

International Global Messenger, Brightfield Shadi leads a dance party to loosen up the Global Athletes Congress attendees.

Photo by Will Schermerhorn

Special Olympics Chairman, Tim Shriver and First Lady of the Dominican Republic, Cándida Montilla de Medina take in the sights from the opening ceremony. They are seated with representatives and leadership on either side of them.

Special Olympics Chairman, Tim Shriver and First Lady of the Dominican Republic, Cándida Montilla de Medina take in the sights from the opening ceremony.

Photo by Will Schermerhorn

Special Olympics Chairman, Tim Shriver stands with leaders from the Global Athletes Congress standing on stage.

Special Olympics Chairman, Tim Shriver stands with leaders from the Global Athletes Congress.

Photo by Will Schermerhorn

Attendees from SO Hong Kong participating in an activity during the Global Athletes Congress workshop; two males and one female are pictured; the male in the center of the group is speaking.

Attendees from SO Hong Kong participating in an activity during the Global Athletes Congress workshop.

Photo by Will Schermerhorn

Latin America Dominican Republic Global Athlete Congress Inclusion Leadership Ambassador 50th Anniversary International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Read more about our impact

Trinidad & Tobago Embraces Vision for Inclusive Education Through Sports Caribbean nation becomes second in the region to join the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion at Opening Ceremony of Unified Beach Games
Trinidad & Tobago Makes History with First Special Olympics Regional Beach Games Trinidad & Tobago played host to the first-ever Special Olympics Regional Beach Games. This pioneering event drew 130 athletes, 70 coaches, and delegates from Special Olympics Programs across the Caribbean to compete in a variety of beach sports.
Faces of Inclusion: A Mother of Three Special Olympics Athletes Gissela is a devoted mother of three daughters with intellectual disabilities. Follow her story of balancing her role as their caregiver, coach, and provider.
Special Olympics Announces the 2024 – 2025 Systems Change in Inclusive Health Subgrant Awardees Ten organizations have been selected as recipients of the 2024 – 2025 Systems Change in Inclusive Health Subgrant. Together, their reach spans the health ecosystem, and their exciting projects stand to improve health access for people with IDD!
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.