News


Vote today to make coach the Jr. NBA Coach of the Year!

Jessica Hontz has been selected as the 2024 Orlando Magic Jr. NBA Scholastic Coach of the Year!  Now let's help her be a national winner too.

An Inspiring Kickoff to Race for Inclusion

Our Race for Inclusion Miami is off to a great start following a terrific kickoff event hosted by Truluck’s Miami, one of South Florida’s most celebrated restaurants.

Triathletes Compete on the World Stage

Let’s hear it for the incredible Special Olympics Florida athletes who competed recently at an international triathlon in Slovakia!

2024 State Summer Games

Congratulations to the athletes and Unified partners who competed recently in the 2024 Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games. The annual event drew more than 2,300 participants and featured seven sports at two world-class venues.

Special Olympics Florida and Orlando Health Announce Five-Year Partnership

Special Olympics Florida has announced a new, five-year agreement with Orlando Health, continuing a partnership that first began in 2019. The organization has been a dedicated supporter of our athletes, and we are thrilled it has chosen to continue this remarkable partnership.

Unified Tennis Makes its FHSAA Championship Debut

District and regional competitions were held at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, and the state championship was held at Sanlando Park in Seminole County. Thanks to everyone who made our first season such a success for our athletes.

Orlando Magazine’s Women of the Year

Special Olympics Florida President and CEO Sherry Wheelock has been selected as one of the award winners for 2024! The award honors women making a positive impact on their communities, recognizing local civic leaders, volunteers, executives, and others.

Health Screening Leads to Life-Changing Moment

After a Healthy Hearing screening, Special Olympics Florida connected Brandon Reardon with a specialist in Jacksonville Beach to receive his first-ever hearing aid.

Athletes and Volunteer Named as Florida Heroes

Three members of the Special Olympics Florida community were honored recently by Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis as part of the Florida Heroes’ program.

Miami Dade College Named National Inclusion Champion

After an exhilarating competition during the Special Olympics Unified College Championship Week presented by ESPN, Miami Dade College Homestead Campus emerged as the National Champion.

Sunshine Bowl Weekend: A Celebration of Inclusion and Football

The 2024 Jack in the Club and Sunshine Bowl weekend was a two-day celebration of football and inclusion, featuring great flag football, an exciting cheer clinic, and a Friday night blackjack tournament, all taking place at Raymond James Stadium.

David L. Singer Memorial Foundation Honored with Local Hero Award

For more than 40 years, the founders of the Foundation have been enthusiastic supporters of Special Olympics Florida and the athletes it serves in South Florida.

A Sweet Way to Honor Moms and Support Special Olympics Florida

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Special Olympics Florida is partnering with Mo’s Bundt Cakes to bring some joy to moms while supporting our incredible athletes.

41st Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Kickoff Event

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody was on hand to show her support for Florida law enforcement and the athletes of Special Olympics Florida. The kickoff ceremony took place at Capitol Courtyard.

St. Lucie Mets help Inclusion Revolution thrive

Our longtime partnership with the St. Lucie Mets has given rise to an annual clinic attended by Mets big-leaguers and coaches along with our athletes...with the purpose of coming together not only for the beauty of the game of baseball, but to mutually change lives for the better.

Palm Beach County Honors a Champion of the Special Olympics Movement

Rich Fleming has been inducted into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame. Rich was honored in late March for three decades of work to give people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy of sports.

Athlete Gets Tips from Tour Pro

Leon County athlete Ian Kelley recently had the opportunity to meet PGA TOUR golfer Harris English.

Miami Marlins Pitcher encourages others to Go Coach

Jesús Luzardo has lent his voice to our "Go Coach" campaign, encouraging others to support Special Olympics athletes as volunteer coaches in one of the 25-plus sports we offer throughout our state.

Broward High Rollers Win in Las Vegas

Congratulations to the Broward County Unified Bowling Team, which recently competed at the 32nd annual Special Olympics National Unified Bowling Championship in Las Vegas.   

Spread the Word 2024

Schools across Florida took action to create environments where all people are respected and treated with dignity. Since its creation more than a decade ago, Spread the Word Day has grown into a global movement promoting inclusion and working to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities.



Northwest Region Athletes in the News

Special Olympics Florida athletes Shane Patty and Stacy Barnes are crushing it and being recognized for their achievements!

Honoring Black Community Leaders

Flagler County athlete Josh Rosa is inspired by his pastor, John Galloway.


Keeping Athletes Healthy

As part of our Healthy Athletes initiative, we will be adding our free health screenings at Unified Champion Schools. With more than 470 Unified Champion Schools throughout Florida, this is a great opportunity to expand our reach and help our athletes lead healthier lives! 

GO COACH!

Coaches are superstars who help our athletes learn, grow and improve. Help us build our next generation of volunteer coaches.

Recognizing Black Leaders

Columbia County athlete Travis Ford is inspired by Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States.

Riding to Support Special Olympics Florida Athletes

Special Olympics Florida was one of 30 nonprofits competing in the 2024 Great Charity Challenge sponsored by Fidelity Investments. Thanks to the talents of Team Sponge Bob Square Pants, Special Olympics Florida received $17,500!

Special Olympics Florida Athlete Reports Again from the Super Bowl

Special Olympics athlete Malcom Harris-Gowdie is now a bona fide Super Bowl veteran. The Port St. Lucie County athlete was back at the Big Game this year, thanks to a partnership with sports and entertainment network FanSided.

National Girls & Women in Sports Day

On this nationally recognized day, we celebrate the achievements of two athletes who have been smashing misconceptions and breaking barriers.

Honoring Black Community Leaders

Monroe County athlete Charleslyn Rose Martin is inspired by her uncle and Key West District VI City Commissioner Clayton Lopez.

Athlete Performs National Anthem in South Florida

Special Olympics Florida athlete Aristide Reinoso performed the National Anthem at Miami-Dade County’s State of the County Address...and he blew the crowd away.


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