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.
Ali Embraces New Life with the Support of Special Olympics
Afghan refugee living in Spain shares how the ‘Unified with Refugees’ sports platform helped him integrate into his new community
3 Min Read
Sasha’s Journey of Hope Through Special Olympics
‘Unified with Refugees’ platform provides Ukrainian refugee with integration opportunities in Slovakia via sports
2 Min Read
A Father’s Struggle to Learn Acceptance—An extraordinary Journey
In Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China, there’s a heartwarming story about a young boy with Down syndrome who, with his father’s support, became a champion.
2 Min Read
Tamara Röske: A Star on the Track, Stage and Screen
Special Olympics Germany athlete, model, actor and musician; Röske’s multifaceted talents shine brightly one year on from Berlin 2023.
1 Min Read
A Mermaid in Berlin: Swimmer Anita Reflects on the World Games 2023
One year on from the World Games in Berlin, Special Olympics Italy swimmer Anita Greco and her family look back on the immense impact the competition has had on their lives.
2 Min Read
Bradley Stuart: “If I Didn’t go to the World Games, I Don’t Think I’d Have a Job”
As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, Bradley Stuart, a football player with Special Olympics Great Britain, reflects on the profound effect that the experience has had on his life.
1 Min Read
Andrea & Cinta: A Unified Sports Journey Towards Gold!
Berlin 2023 basketball champions Andrea Ballesta and Unified partner Cinta Gomis reflect on their Special Olympics World Games experience.
2 Min Read
Irish Golfers Look Back on Berlin: “It’s the Best Thing You’ll Ever do!”
As the movement celebrates the one-year anniversary of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, Irish golfing twins Sarah and Trudy Hyland reflect on the impact of the Games.
1 Min Read
One Year On: Athletes Reflect on the Powerful Legacy of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023
As Special Olympics movement celebrates the one-year anniversary of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 (“Berlin Games”), athletes from across Europe reflect on the impact that the Games had on their lives through a series of five compelling videos.
3 Min Read
Saif and Ali Sumaida: A Father Supporting his Son on and Off the Field of Play
“I am Saif Bin Sumaida, a retired senior engineer from ADNOC Gas. God blessed me with four sons and two daughters. We discovered that one of our sons, Ali, had autism at four years old and he struggled a lot with his speech growing up. We enrolled him in speech therapy sessions at the New England Center to help him work on this.
3 Min Read
A Father’s Struggle to Learn Acceptance—An extraordinary Journey
In Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China, there’s a heartwarming story about a young boy with Down syndrome who, with his father’s support, became a champion.
2 Min Read
Special Olympics Denmark Idrætsfestival 2024 Ignites Change
From May 24 – 26, the picturesque town of Frederikshavn in northern Denmark staged the biggest multisport event for athletes with intellectual disabilities in the Nordic region.
3 Min Read