Special Olympics Florida Invitational at Walt Disney World
Undaunted by a tropical storm, some 500 participants turned out in early November for the Special Olympics Florida Invitational at Walt Disney World.
Race for Inclusion: Tallahassee
Nearly 120 runners and walkers turned out for the second annual race held at FSU.
50th Anniversary Gala
The event honored 50 years of working to improve the lives of people
with intellectual disabilities and celebrated our supporters,
volunteers, corporate partners, athletes, and our newest Leadership
Award winners.
Race for Inclusion: Orlando
More
than 200 runners and walkers turned out for the second annual
Orlando Race for Inclusion
at Sunset Walk Orlando.
Triathlete Competes in IRONMAN World Championship
Chris Nikic has made history again by becoming the first person with Down syndrome to complete the
IRONMAN® World Championship in Hawaii, with a time of 16 hours and 31
minutes.
Special Olympics Florida Runner Takes on the London Marathon
In early October, Seminole County distance runner Samantha Rodriquez took on her third marathon in less than a year.
National Coaches Day
We celebrate and thank
the incredible coaches who share their time and talents with the
athletes of Special Olympics Florida.
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.
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.