Special Olympics South Africa

16/06/2026

11/06/2026

08/06/2026

Building the Future of Inclusive Sport in Limpopo! 💙💛

From 28–31 May 2026, Special Olympics South Africa, in partnership with the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, successfully hosted a Coaches Training Programme at Vuwa Lodge in Polokwane.

A total of 30 coaches participated in this exciting training initiative, aimed at recruiting and developing new coaches to support athletes with intellectual disabilities across the province. Through interactive learning sessions, participants gained valuable coaching knowledge and a deeper understanding of the values, principles, and mission of Special Olympics.

The programme was developed in response to the growing need for qualified coaches who can help expand participation opportunities, strengthen year-round sports programmes, and create more inclusive sporting environments within their communities.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, SASSA II, and the Department of Education for their support in making this initiative possible.

Together, we are empowering coaches, creating opportunities, and ensuring that every athlete has the chance to learn, compete, and reach their full potential. 🌟

05/06/2026

🦁✨ What an incredible day of friendship, inclusion, and fun! 🦁✨

Special Olympics South Africa proudly partnered with the Lions Club District 410 for the Annual Lions Club Buddy Day, hosted at La Salle College in Roodepoort.

The event brought together approximately 320 participants, including 150 Special Olympics athletes and 170 Buddies and Leos from schools and colleges across Johannesburg. From Bocce and putt-putt to throwing and catching games, the day was filled with laughter, teamwork, and unforgettable memories. 💙🤝

With engaging activity stations hosted by various Lions Clubs, exciting sport activities, and plenty of opportunities to connect, Buddy Day once again showcased the power of inclusion through shared experiences.

A heartfelt thank you to the Lions Club District 410, participating schools, centres, volunteers, and everyone who helped make this special day a success. Together, we continue to build a more inclusive world for all. 🌟

05/06/2026

Celebrating Inclusion through Recreation: Special Olympics South Africa and Rotary Club of Sandton Strengthen Their Partnership.🏅🎉

Special Olympics South Africa (SOSA) is proud to celebrate its ongoing partnership with the Rotary Club of Sandton through the hosting of annual recreational days that promote inclusion, joy, and meaningful engagement for athletes and young people with intellectual disabilities.

This long-standing collaboration reflects a shared commitment to creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate fully in community life while enjoying experiences that promote friendship, confidence, and wellbeing.

The annual recreational day welcomes athletes and youth from various centres and schools, including Novalis House, Cresset House - Facility for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities, SAN Michele HOME, Sunfield Home, and Tshegofatsong Special School. These events provide a safe and inclusive environment where participants can come together, build connections, and celebrate their abilities through sport and recreation.

This year's recreational day was filled with excitement, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Participants enthusiastically took part in a variety of activities, including recreational athletics, volleyball, football, and fun-filled egg races. These activities encouraged teamwork, healthy competition, physical activity, and social interaction, ensuring that everyone had an opportunity to participate and shine.

Adding to the excitement was a captivating magic show that left athletes and guests amazed and entertained. One of the most anticipated highlights of the day was the opportunity for participants to experience Harley-Davidson motorcycle rides. For many athletes, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that brought immense joy, excitement, and a sense of adventure.🏍️✨

Beyond the activities themselves, the recreational day served as a powerful reminder of the importance of community partnerships in creating inclusive spaces where individuals with intellectual disabilities are valued, respected, and celebrated. The event fostered meaningful interactions between athletes, volunteers, Rotarians, families, and community members, strengthening relationships and promoting greater understanding and acceptance.

SOSA extends its sincere gratitude to the Rotary Club of Sandton for its continued support, generosity, and dedication to improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. This commitment to inclusion helps create lasting memories and opportunities that enrich the lives of athletes and their families.

Together, SOSA and the Rotary Club of Sandton continue to demonstrate that when communities come together, they can create experiences that inspire hope, build friendships, and celebrate the unique abilities of every individual.

04/06/2026

🌈❤️

This Pride Month, we celebrate every athlete for exactly who they are.

🌈❤️ Inclusion is more than a value.......it’s a Movement.

Every ability, every identity, every background, every story belongs. We take pride in athletes who show up, compete, lead, and inspire just as they are.

20/05/2026

🎖️This week, Tim Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics, was named the 2026 recipient of the Laetare Medal by the University of Notre Dame, one of the oldest and most distinguished honors awarded to American Catholics.

For decades, Tim has championed a more inclusive world, helping grow the Special Olympics movement to more than 4 million athletes across 200+ countries and territories.

“𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 𝑟𝑢𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑜𝑜𝑛, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑦 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒, 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.” Dr. Timothy Shriver

This honor from Notre Dame recognizes not only Tim's extraordinary leadership but also his enduring moral vision, one that continues to transform lives and strengthen the bonds of our shared humanity. We are deeply grateful for Tim’s courage, compassion, and lifelong commitment to service, and we celebrate this recognition with immense pride.

To learn more: https://brnw.ch/21x2Ce5

📺: https://brnw.ch/21x2Ce6

13/05/2026

💙 HEALTHY ATHLETES, HEALTHIER FUTURES! 💙

From 23–27 February 2026, Special Olympics South Africa hosted a successful Healthy Athletes® Screening at Reatlegile Special School, providing vital healthcare services to over 250 athletes with intellectual disabilities. 🙌🏽✨

Athletes received FREE screenings across 7 medical disciplines, including eye care, dental care, hearing, fitness, and health promotion.

Highlights included:
✅ 230 eye screenings completed
✅ 220 MedFest screenings
✅ 217 hearing screenings
✅ 197 dental screenings
✅ 188 FUNfitness assessments

A particularly special moment was the early identification of cataracts in one athlete, allowing timely intervention and support for the family ❤️

A huge thank you to all healthcare professionals, volunteers, partners, and government departments who made this initiative possible, together, we are creating healthier and more inclusive communities for people with intellectual disabilities. 💙