Special Olympics Florida athletes received an enthusiastic send-off from Orlando International Airport as they departed on June 19, for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota.

About 200 athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and staff representing Special Olympics Florida were cheered on at Orlando International Airport as they departed for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Representing all 50 states, nearly 3,000 athletes supported by 1,500 coaches will compete across 16 Olympic-type team and individual sports.  Tune in to watch all the excitement and cheer on Team Florida!

You can keep up with all the action of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games and follow Team Florida by downloading the “Champions App.”

The 2026 State Summer Games generated plenty of media interest around the state, with news outlets featuring our athletes in print, online, and in their local TV news coverage. 

It’s graduation season and Special Olympics Florida is celebrating athletes who are reaching major milestones through college programs, career training, and other education opportunities. 

Special Olympics Florida and the Special Olympics Florida Foundation are excited to share the news that Florida House Bill 453 has officially become law — creating new opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities across the state.

Two Special Olympics Florida leaders have been named finalists for the 2026 SPORTYS, highlighting their impact on Central Florida’s sports community. Lori Newcomb and BJ Mealy were among 65 finalists announced by the Greater Orlando Sports Commission for its annual awards program recognizing excellence across the industry.

In honor of National Volunteer Month, we want to thank the more than 55,000 volunteers who bring our mission to life. Without their support, our work simply would not be possible. Today, we turn our spotlight on Felicia Marable-Williams from Osceola County.

As we continue celebrating National Volunteer Month, today we recognize Special Olympics Florida coach Valerie Lundin of Pasco County. 

April is National Volunteer Month, so we wanted to shout out a few of the incredible volunteers who work to create unforgettable moments for our athletes across the state. Today, we recognize the Nunez family from the South Region.

A huge thanks to Baptist Health and the Miami Host Committee for FIFA World Cup 2026 for coming together to support the athletes of Special Olympics Florida.

To celebrate National Volunteer Month, we are turning the spotlight on some of the amazing volunteers who have committed themselves to helping our athletes reach their full potential. Today, we highlight Phyllis Crain from our West Coast Region.

Our volunteers are the backbone of our organization. They make our work possible, and they are our athletes’ biggest fans.  Happy National Volunteer Month!

Grab a delicious Jersey Mike’s sub before the end of March, and donate to Special Olympics Florida either in-restaurant or on the app. Your gift will support athletes like Laura Wuerker, who’ll be competing in golf at the upcoming Special Olympics USA Games this summer.

Grab a delicious Jersey Mike’s sub this month, and donate to Special Olympics Florida either in-restaurant or on the app. Your gift will support athletes like Hudson Adams-Farley, who’ll be competing in volleyball at the upcoming Special Olympics USA Games this summer.

Special Olympics Florida hosted a celebratory event at Inter&Co Stadium to mark 100 days until the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. 

Grab a delicious Jersey Mike’s sub this month, and donate to Special Olympics Florida either in-restaurant or on the app. Your gift will support athletes like Gaby DeLeon, who’ll be competing in powerlifting at the upcoming Special Olympics USA Games this summer.

In honor of World Down Syndrome Day, we’re highlighting one of our amazing Athlete Leaders -- Meghan Mellentine from Lee County.

Grab a delicious Jersey Mike’s sub this month, and donate to Special Olympics Florida either in-restaurant or on the app. Your gift will support athletes like Joey Reyes, who’ll be competing in softball at the upcoming Special Olympics USA Games this summer.

Our new monthly webinar series has been created to bring Special Olympics families together. These virtual gatherings focus on meaningful connection—linking families to valuable information, practical resources, and, most importantly, to one another.

Grab a delicious Jersey Mike’s sub this month, and donate to Special Olympics Florida either in-restaurant or on the app. Your gift will support athletes like Ava Johnson, who’ll be competing in gymnastics at the upcoming Special Olympics USA Games this summer.

Jersey Mike’s stores have made Team Florida their charity of choice and are giving customers the chance to donate all month long. On March 25, all 251 Jersey Mike’s locations in Florida will donate 100% of their sales to Team Florida.

Special Olympics Florida - Polk County athlete Ryan Aytona has completed one of the most grueling sporting events on earth -- 2026 Ultraman Florida.

In honor of Black History Month, we are highlighting some of its incredible athletes. Today we feature Derrick Dickey.

We proudly celebrated the induction of eight exceptional individuals into our Special Olympics Florida Hall of Fame during a recent ceremony honoring their longstanding dedication, leadership, and impact on athletes and communities across the state. 

In honor of Black History Month, we are highlighting some of its incredible athletes. Today we feature Kellie Matthew.

WESH 2 in Orlando recently invited us into the studio to talk about the 2026 Polar Plunge at Aquatica. 

In honor of Black History Month, we are highlighting some of its incredible athletes. Today we feature Terrence Freelove.

Special Olympics Florida gymnasts from Miami-Dade County enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when they recently attended the Biles International Invitational and spent time with Olympic gold medalist and gymnastics legend Simone Biles.