Stories
These global stories are about the power of Special Olympics to inspire hope, confidence and courage. Special Olympics changes the lives of our athletes with intellectual disabilities but also our coaches, families, volunteers and others who have the opportunity to take part.
The Spirit Will Live On! Farewell to the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025
The Special Olympics Word Winter Games Turin 2025, the largest sports and humanitarian event of the year, drew to a close on 15 March after a celebration of sport and inclusion.
2 Min Read
Technology Drives ‘Meaningful Involvement’ for ALL Players at World Games Unified Floorball
A team of observers used the Principle of Meaningful Involvement (POMI) app on tablets to track the level of meaningful involvement on each Unified floorball team. This helped ensure that all players – with or without a disability – had the same opportunity to participate equally in the game.
2 Min Read
Special Olympics Joins the Globe in Celebrating World Autism Acceptance Day
Celebrated around the world each year on April 2, World Autism Acceptance Day helps to raise awareness and promote education on autism while fostering support, acceptance, and inclusion for people with autism.
1 Min Read
Amplifying Athlete Voices During Capitol Hill Day
Special Olympics athletes, staff and supporters from across the United States gather each year in Washington, DC to meet with members of Congress in order to advocate for critical federal support of the organization’s work. Among the large number of delegation members attending the 2025 Capitol Hill Day was Special Olympics Chief Executive Officer Mary Davis.
5 Min Read
Innovation for Inclusion
University Students Collaborate to Create Inclusive Solutions for Special Olympics through the Accenture Innovation Challenge
3 Min Read
Taste of Victory: China’s Top Scorer Leads his Team to Success
It was Fan Xinwei’s first time visiting Italy. Although the city of Turin offered sites, history, and iconic Italian cuisine, the only thing on this floorball player’s mind was victory. And over the course of competition at Inalpi Arena, that’s exactly what Special Olympics China accomplished.
1 Min Read
From the Arctic Circle to Italy: Greenland’s Nuka Martin Lynge raises the bar
At 21 years old, cross-country-skier Nuka Martin Lynge, from Greenland, has already completed two runs of the Arctic Circle Race - recognised as the world’s most challenging cross-country skiing competition. Earlier this month, he brought his skills and focus from the top of the world to Turin, Italy when he represented Special Olympics Denmark at the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025.
3 Min Read
Konrad Dębniak: Team Poland’s Generous Spirit and Sporting Hero!
Konrad Dębniak (35), an accomplished athlete from Special Olympics Poland, has become a true role model for his community—on and off the sports field. His journey to the World Games is a testament to his generous and relentless spirit, and his inspiring determination—all encouraged by his deeply supportive coach, Remigiusz Woźniak.
3 Min Read
Snow in the Desert: An Alpine Skier from Egypt Wins at the World Winter Games
Antwan “Tony” Saad developed a passion for skiing but has a very peculiar dilemma: his home country of Egypt only receives snow on the rarest of occasions (sometimes years apart). This presents a challenge for someone looking to hone their craft in Alpine Skiing.
1 Min Read
From Almost Missing the World Winter Games to Gold: How Special Olympics Tajikistan Brought Home Six Medals With A Little Help From Their Friends
The Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 were an extraordinary occasion for athletes with and without intellectual disability to prove their skills on a global stage and bring home precious medals.
3 Min Read
Special Olympics Oklahoma Coach Wins SONA Lifetime Achievement Award
For more than two decades, Susan St. John has been a fixture of the Special Olympics Oklahoma community, ever since her daughter, Chelsea, first became an athlete while in middle school.
3 Min Read
SO USA Skier Alexandrea Rutledge Shares Her Experience From Turin 2025
Alexandrea Rutledge trained hard for Turin 2025. Now she's excited to show off her skills to friends back home.
1 Min Read