USA & World Games
Since the first Special Olympics International Games in 1968, the world has transcended the boundaries of geography, nationality, political philosophy, gender, age, culture, and religion to come together every two years for the Special Olympics World Games. Alternating between summer and winter, the World Games have become the flagship event of the Special Olympics movement and have grown to be an international demonstration of inclusion, acceptance, and unity.
Recent World Games:
2023 - World Summer Games, Berlin
Special Olympics DC athlete Joseph “JoJo” Woodland represented DC on Team USA in Track and Field Team at the 2023 World Summer Games in Berlin, Germany. Joseph competed in the 200m, 400m, and 4x400m race, and won a gold medal in the 400m race.
2019 - World Summer Games, Abu Dhabi
Special Olympics DC Unified Partners from H.D. Woodson High School and their teacher Beth Sewell attended the Leadership Summit at the World Games in Abu Dhabi.
2017 - World Winter Games, Austria
Special Olympics DC athlete Cornell Gray competed in Speed Skating at the 2017 World Games in Austria. Cornell won a gold medal in each of his short-track events.