Athletes

Early childhood play program engaged over 2,000 children of all abilities in the joy of sport.

Special Olympics Estonia athlete Helen Nääme kicked off the Games by leading her delegation in the Parade of Athletes at Opening Ceremony. On Tuesday, she sailed her way into the DanceSport finals! What next for Helen’s Games’ adventure?

Pala Giani Asti was a party this morning as over 200 children from 7 area schools gathered for Special Olympics Young Athletes.

For Special Olympics athlete, Veronica Diaz Rainieri, anything and everything is possible for everyone. A two-sport athlete in swimming and skiing, Diaz Rainieri is an inspiration for the youth in her native country of the Dominican Republic.

Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 Kick Off with Heartfelt Opening Ceremony

At 9am on a sunny Saturday morning in June, Special Olympics (SO) Kenya coaches and athletes begin gathering at the Nairobi University sports grounds in the heart of the capital city. They’ve come to train in basketball, bocce and floorball. At least five coaches and 30 athletes have already arrived after taking public transportation, often more than one kind. More are still trekking the distance to the facilities from as far 400km/250mi away. Learn about what drives these athletes and coaches to traverse such distances to see their teammates. More background can be read in this article.

As a partner in the I Coach Girls project, the SO Europe Eurasia Foundation (SOEEF) has ensured that the needs and input of girls with intellectual disabilities are represented at every stage.

Alexandrea Rutledge has been working out "a lot" ahead of Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025. She's been a Special Olympics athlete for more than 12 years, and this will be her first international competition.

As the year draws to a close, four Athlete Leaders from across our region, Kiera, Margaret, Gilmour and Inge reflect on their highlights from 2024 and look forward to the year to come!

Special Olympics Unified with Refugees Senior Advisor Gerald Mballe travelled to Madrid, Spain, to visit a refugee reception center and a local school, and foster connections between refugees, people with intellectual disabilities and their host communities.