News


Making a Splash at the Swim for Inclusion

They’re off and running – and swimming – in the 2022 Race for Inclusion. The first event was held on September 24 at Lucky’s Lake in Orlando.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

A perfect time for us to highlight the workplace contributions made by our athletes and people with disabilities everywhere.


Unified Champion Schools Earn National Honor

Let’s hear it for the 13 Florida schools that have been designated Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion Schools for 2022-2023!

Fun to Spare at State Bowling

More than 700 athletes and Unified partners took on the lanes at Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando.

Inter Miami Unified Team Douses Chicago Fire

Congratulations to the 2022 Inter Miami Special Olympics Unified Team on its thrilling 6-4 win over the Chicago Fire FC Special Olympics Unified Team!

Hangin’ 10 at State Surfing Competition

Almost 90 athletes from around Florida took to the water, carving through the waves with swagger and skill.

State Stand Up Paddle Competition

More than 140 athletes from across Florida turned out for the event at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.

Soccer Players Shine at MLS All-Star Week

Special Olympics Florida athlete Cesar Aponte and Unified partner Kevin Reynolds represented Special Olympics Florida and Orlando City Soccer in the Unified Sports All-Star Game at Major League Soccer’s All-Star Week.

State Triathlon Championships

The event drew 41 athletes and Unified partners to the Clermont Waterfront Park.

USA Today High School Sports Awards Announced

And...Athlete Kamari Graham, a sophomore from Homestead Senior High School is this year's recipient of the Special Olympics Athlete of the Year award.


Fruit and Veggie Battle: A Tasty Lesson in Nutrition

Our athletes have been taking part in the Ultimate Fruit and Veggie Battle on our Special Olympics Florida Fit and Well Facebook group.

Happy Camp Shriver Day, Miami!

For more than 15 years, this incredible, inclusive camp has been offered to campers thanks to the longstanding support of the First Tee Miami-Dade Amateur Golf Association and the City of Miami.

Special Olympics athlete to be inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame

Chris Nikic has added another award to his ever-growing list of honors.  He joins 11 other iconic sports figures making up the Hall’s Class of 2022.

Florida Players Set to Represent USA at the Special Olympics Unified Cup 2022

Special Olympics Florida is proud to announce that two athletes and a Unified partner will be part of the Special Olympics USA male Unified soccer team at the Special Olympics Unified Cup 2022, being held July 31 – August 6 in Detroit, Michigan.

Special Olympics has been named one of America's most trusted nonprofit brands

Morning Consult's "Most Trusted Brands of 2022" is a widely respected measurement of brand trust across industries, showcasing the companies and products that have earned or maintained consumer trust during the year.

Camp Shriver Debuts in Collier County

Created by Special Olympics Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver in the 1960s, Camp Shriver is an inclusive camp that brings together young people with and without disabilities who participate in camp activities alongside one another. 

A Special Recognition

Orlando’s WESH 2 featured Special Olympics Florida athletes being celebrated at Promenade at Sunset Walk for a special recognition event.

Making History and Memories at USA Games

Special Olympics Florida athletes showed a national audience that they can compete with the best athletes in the U.S. and from across the Caribbean.  Way to go Team Florida!

Corporate Sponsorship

Holiday Inn Club Vacations hosted Leon County athlete Ian Kelley and his family at its flagship resort ahead of USA Games.

Athlete Shines on Orlando Health Team as Sideline Reporter

From the courts to the fields, Athlete Leader Malcom Harris-Gowdie partnered with Orlando Health for a daily dose of USA Games news for the organization’s social media channels.

Orlando Health Provides Healthy Athletes Experience at USA Games

From hydration to meditation, the Healthy Athletes Experience presented by Orlando Health kept more than 5,000 athletes from across the U.S. on top of their health game all week long.

Spotlight on Central Florida Athletes

Orlando Sentinel is featuring a few of our Team Florida athletes heading to USA Games.

Ready? OK!

WESH 2 in Orlando recently featured Lindsay Ximanies as she prepares to compete in the upcoming Special Olympics USA Games with her cheer team.

Johnny Robinson Competes Overseas

Pinellas County athlete was one of only five competitors from the United States to compete in the Special Olympics Malta Invitational Games.

2022 State Summer Games

More than 1,400 athletes and 375 Unified partners from across the state competed in athletics, bocce, cheerleading, cycling, soccer, softball throw, and volleyball.

2022 Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified Team

A huge thanks to MLS franchise Inter Miami CF for once again showing its commitment to the athletes of Special Olympics Florida.

Go Gators!

Once again, the Special Olympics College Club at the University of Florida has been named National Champion of the Special Olympics Virtual College Rivalry Championship, presented by ESPN.

4th Annual Sunshine Bowl

Dozens of flag football teams from across the state came together at Raymond James Stadium to compete in this annual event to raise money for Special Olympics Florida.

A full-circle experience

Tom Langer began as a Healthy Athletes volunteer in 2007 and is now helping Special Olympics Florida through community outreach and sponsorship support.

Golfer trains for Special Olympics USA Games

With the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games coming up in June, our athletes are drawing lots of interest from Florida media.

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