Mary Davis

Together, Special Olympics and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, are proving that sport is more than play - it’s a powerful tool for dignity, belonging, and opportunity. Yesterday, Special Olympics Unified with Refugees coordinator, Gerald Mballe Mballe, made an impassioned speech at the Global Refugee Forum - the world’s largest international gathering on refugees - calling on all governments and organisations to join Special Olympics in positioning inclusive sports as a core pillar of inclusion for every displaced person worldwide. Special Olympics is deeply proud of our ongoing and close collaboration with UNHCR, including through our powerful global partnership, UNHCR's committed membership of the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion, Special Olympics' contribution the Sports for Refugees Coalition at UNHCR and our work together globally through the Special Olympics Unified With Refugees programme. #specialolympics #UnifiedwithRefugees #globalcoalitionforinclusion #developmentthroughsport #sportforrefugeescoalition

🏀 Day 1 is off to an electrifying start at #SpecialOlympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup in San Juan! 📺 Catch the action LIVE from @distritotmobile on the Special Olympics YouTube channel. brnw.ch/21wY7x4 #ChooseToInclude #PlayUnified

💃✨ @distritotmobile was full of inclusion, acceptance, and joy for the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup, in San Juan, Puerto Rico! 📺 Watch LIVE on Special Olympics YouTube 👉 brnw.ch/21wY5Zr #ChooseToInclude #PlayUnified

Preventive care matters. 🩺 This #WellnessWednesday, former U.S. Surgeon General @JeromeAdamsMD highlights how @SpecialOlympics Healthy Athletes is closing the gap for people with intellectal disabilities.

"𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱." Our Chief Inspiration Officer Loretta Claiborne's open letter to @KidRock following his use of the R-word on a live national news network was reported widely by some of the world's biggest global news outlets. The offer still stands - Loretta is willing to speak with you and share more about our movement that stands for inclusion and respect. 🔗nbcnews.com/news/us-news/s… #WordsMatter #ChooseToInclude #SpecialOlympics

We’re proud to share that Loretta Claiborne was honored at the PA @GovernorShapiro State Dinner with the Governor’s Keystone Award for Outstanding Service by the highest civilian recognition in Pennsylvania. Congratulations Loretta! #SpecialOlympics #ChooseToInclude

My friend Loretta Claiborne has spent decades turning pain into purpose, standing up against the R-word and teaching the world the power of respect. When public figures use that word, they reopen wounds that people like Loretta have spent their lives healing. I stand with Loretta. It’s time for @KidRock, @JesseBWatters, @FoxNews — and all of us — to do better. Join us to choose respect and inclusion over hurtful words: 🔗brnw.ch/21wWYUm #ChooseToInclude #WordsMatter #SpecialOlympics

In this episode of Inclusion Revolution Radio, Thomas reflects on making history at the @bostonmarathon. Tune in Tuesday to hear from @SONewHampshire athlete Thomas and board member Mark Duggan! 🏃 #ChooseToInclude #SpecialOlympics

🏐 "Unified Sports is Power" @soeuropeeurasia President David Evangelista and #SpecialOlympics Poland President Tomasz Wolny had an inspiring discussion on inclusion and the impact of the Unified Volleyball World Cup in Poland. 🎥 brnw.ch/21wWoEW #PlayUnified

All youth deserve the chance to learn, lead, and thrive. @mbz_foundation is committing US$11M to the #SpecialOlympics Global Center for Inclusion in Education. Together, we are building more inclusive schools. #Inclusion #InclusiveEducation

For 3 years, @SpecialOlympics Inclusive Healthy Lifestyle Groups in Schools promoted healthy lifestyles & fostered inclusivity among students with & without intellectual disabilities in 180+ schools in 4 countries - among them, Dmitri & Mia-Liise! #SpecialOlympics #IHLGiS

"Let’s be careful not to stigmatize people with autism. What we’re really about here is science, we’re not about administration, we’re not about politics. We’re about trying to help moms and dads and young people live full and fulfilling lives." brnw.ch/21wW05y

Today in Brussels, Philippe Housiaux, President of the European Fair Play Movement, joined the Italian National Fair Play Committee and Panathlon Wallonie-Bruxelles in awarding #SpecialOlympics the Fair Play Award for Peace 2025 — marking the third year of the award and the first time Special Olympics International has received this prestigious honor. Established by the European Fair Play Movement and aimed at promoting the principles of fair play in Europe, the award recognizes organizations that actively promote fair play and use sport as a means to build more peaceful and respectful communities across the continent. #SportWithPurpose #ChooseToInclude

"Patrice The Movie" won an Emmy for “Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking”! Patrice dedicated the award to millions of disabled people on Medicaid. Watch the full acceptance speech below and stream "Patrice: The Movie" on @hulu now! #ChooseToInclude

On her 107th birthday, we celebrate Rosemary Kennedy Shriver—the first teacher of inclusion. Her legacy is felt in every athlete who takes the field, every family that finds community, and every barrier that is broken through the power of inclusion. How will you #ChooseToInclude

🔥Six months since Turin lit up the world! From the Flame of Hope to unforgettable moments of courage and joy — the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games brought us all together. 🎉 Relive the magic. 💬 Drop your favorite memory below. #ChooseToInclude #SpecialOlympics

#TBT to 23 July in Lodz, when the host Special Olympics Poland team set to compete in the Unified Volleyball World Cup on home soil this 5-8 October, was recognized by Polish Volleyball Federation President Sebastian Świderski in front of an incredible crowd before an FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League match between Poland vs. China. #SpecialOlympics #Poland2025

🏐 Game On! 16 International Teams Set for #SpecialOlympics Unified Volleyball World Cup in Poland! From 5–8 Oct 2025, Katowice will host a thrilling showdown as nearly 200 athletes take center court at the Spodek Arena: brnw.ch/21wUyBs @soeuropeeurasia

On the 57th anniversary of #SpecialOlympics, we reflect on Eunice Kennedy Shriver's call to “come to our world, where we are free!" How will you #ChooseToInclude? Join us in celebrating #SportWithPurpose this #GlobalWeekOfInclusion.

During #GlobalWeekofInclusion, we’re also highlighting this video from @soeuropeeurasia, which focuses on how inclusive sports and leadership help people with intellectual disabilities—whether running, cycling, or public speaking—“be the best” they can be! #SportWithPurpose