In Puerto Rico, history is etched in stone. Long before modern buildings were built across the island, the Taíno people—the first known inhabitants of Puerto Rico—carved their stories, beliefs, and identity into rocks. These petroglyphs, found throughout the Caribbean Island, are lasting symbols of a culture deeply connected to nature, community, and spirit.
It is from this powerful legacy that the image of the first ever Special Olympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup is built upon.
The logo takes its inspiration on the Taíno sun symbol—a tribute to the ancestral heritage of Puerto Rico and a visual expression of life, energy, and hope. These are also the qualities that define Special Olympics Puerto Rico as it prepares to host this historic inaugural Special Olympics event and welcome athletes from around the world.
At the heart of the logo is the Special Olympics symbol, a universal representation of achievement, change, revelation and community. Made up of five human figures joined in a unifying circle, the symbol captures the spirit of inclusion, equality, and joy. The progression of arm positions—from lowered, to outstretched, to raised—reflects the journey of awareness, empowerment, and celebration of people with intellectual disabilities. This emblem transcends language and geography, expressing the universal mission of Special Olympics: to build a more inclusive world through sport.
More than just a design, the Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup logo carries meaning. It reflects the strength of Puerto Rico, and the unity that sports can bring. The Special Olympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup marks a milestone for Puerto Rico and for the Special Olympics movement. And its emblem captures the essence of this historic moment: honoring the past, empowering the present, and looking forward to the inclusion legacy in the future.
Special Olympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup, San Juan 2025
The first-ever Special Olympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup will take place from 5 through 7 December 2025, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, bringing together 200 athletes and Unified partners from 39 countries to compete in an exciting, fast-paced competition that highlights the talent, teamwork, and determination of people with intellectual disabilities. This inaugural event will showcase the power of inclusion through sports and will be hosted at the T-Mobile District in San Juan, Puerto Rico, home of the 2023 and 2024 FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup.
The Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup will feature 20 male & 20 female squads of athletes with and without intellectual disabilities playing on the same team. Special Olympics Unified Sports® brings people with and without intellectual disabilities together to train and compete with each other. By playing together, they develop teamwork and leadership skills that transcend the playing field and set the standard for inclusion in classrooms, workplaces, and community.
