News


Tampa Magazine Spotlights Athlete of the Year Mary Frances Smith

Learn about what motivates Mary Frances and how she’s making her community a better place to live. 

An Extraordinary Year

A year-end message from Special Olympics Florida President and CEO Sherry Wheelock.

State Golf Championships

Nearly 300 golfers came together to compete at the Walt Disney World Magnolia and Palm courses.


Race for Inclusion: Gainesville

More than 600 participants and 52 teams came to the University of Florida to support the athletes of Special Olympics Florida and help build communities where all people are treated with dignity and respect.

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.

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