Human R.A.C.E

Having been part of the movement for over 20 years, Kar Soon Tham is a veteran with Special Olympics Singapore. At the World Games in Berlin last year, he was also the oldest athlete representing his country, who went on to secure a respectable 5th placement in the bocce men’s singles event.

Around the world, the conversation about women in sport is gaining momentum. This progress creates a vital opportunity to ensure that women and girls with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are equally represented and empowered. Across communities, they are ready to engage more fully in sport as it is the catalyst to fuel confidence and discover pathways to leadership.

Across the globe, over 4.6 million Special Olympics athletes and unified partners worldwide benefit from sports programs shaped by the unwavering dedication of Special Olympics coaches. These coaches are the heartbeat of our movement – helping athletes discover their strength, their voice, and their place in society.

Persons with disabilities have the same fundamental right to health as those without disabilities. However, as the World Health Organization Global report on health equity for persons with disabilities points out, many persons with disabilities continue to die earlier, have poorer health, and experience more limitations in their daily functioning than others. This is why disability inclusion in healthcare is especially critical and urgent.

Great leaders leave lasting legacies—not only through direct actions, but through the multiplier effects they generate, inspiring change far beyond their immediate community.

Inclusion doesn’t just happen in communities, it is built by people who actively address gaps and create connections to help everyone feel like they have a place in society.

Earlier in April this year, the first-ever South Asia Unified Football Competition organized by Special Olympics Asia Pacific took place in Bangladesh, marking a historic 5-day event that brought together 90 athletes from five countries.

For Syakila Binti Mohd Nasir, a Special Olympics Malaysia athlete, realising her full potential as an independent young woman came about by embracing community, sports and competitions.

Tender Hearts Cafe in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is more than just a social enterprise—it’s a place where young people with intellectual disabilities (PWID) gain independence, purpose, and confidence.

Bosco Cain, a volunteer coach with Special Olympics, is both a father and a coach to Sis-qo Cain, a non-verbal powerlifter. Sis-qo’s early life was imprinted by a critical health crisis that left an indelible mark on both father and son.