Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports. We empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all.
In Washington State, we provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for thousands of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
In 2025, the organization will celebrate its 50th anniversary by honoring its remarkable legacy in Washington while setting the stage for a stronger, more inclusive future.
Media Contact
Jaymelina Esmele
Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Email
2024 Press Releases
December 5, 2024 | Special Olympics Washington Appoints Mary K. Do as New President and CEO; Do’s Expertise and Passion for Inclusion Will Guide Organization’s New Era of Growth and Impact
May 31, 2024 | Join the Excitement at Special Olympics Washington’s State Spring Games, June 7-9, 2024!
2023 Press Releases
June 8, 2023 | Experience Special Olympics Washington’s State Spring Games Friday, June 9 – Sunday, June 11
April 22, 2023 | Special Olympics Washington and Seattle Public Schools Team Up to Bring Unified Champion Schools Programming District-Wide
March 1, 2023 | Special Olympics Washington Returns to Wenatchee for the 2023 State Winter Games
February 28, 2023 | Special Olympics Washington Takes Leadership Role to Launch the Network of Giving into Washington State
2022 Press Releases
December 1, 2022 | Special Olympics Washington Unified Robotics Championship Shines the Spotlight on Inclusion and Ingenuity
November 17, 2022 | Let the Games Begin! Special Olympics Washington Returns to the Tri-Cities for the 2022 State Fall Games
November 14, 2022 | YMCA of the Inland Northwest and Special Olympics Washington Team Up to Give Special Olympics Athletes and Their Families Opportunities to Learn, Grow and Thrive At the YMCA
June 17, 2022 | After More Than Two Years, Special Olympics Washington State Spring Games to Take Place Friday, June 17 – Sunday, June 19
June 2, 2022 | Special Olympics Washington to Send 100-Member Delegation to Orlando for 2022 Special Olympics USA Games
April 26, 2022 | Volunteers Needed for Special Olympics Washington Track and Field and Soccer Competitions in Western Washington on April 30 and May 1
April 18, 2022 | Volunteers Needed for Special Olympics Washington Aquatic Competitions in Federal Way on April 23 and April 24
March 30, 2022 | On Wednesday, March 30 Eat a Sub, Help Team Washington Athletes
February 1, 2022 | Special Olympics Washington Hosts the 2022 Polar Plunge
January 27, 2022 | Special Olympics Washington Names Kelly Campbell as First Athlete to Chair its Board of Directors
2021 Press Releases
May 24, 2021 | Sign Up for the CommUNITY Challenge and Go the Extra Mile for Special Olympics Washington Athletes
January 28, 2021 | Special Olympics Washington Hosts the Polar Plunge Challenge
2020 Press Releases
November 17, 2020 | Special Olympics Washington Names David Wu New President and CEO; Organization Also Announces Promotion of Mary K. Do to Chief Operating Officer
July 31, 2020 | Special Olympics Washington Hosts the 2020 Virtual Summer Games
January 2, 2020 | 2020 Special Olympics Washington Polar Plunge Events Make Big Splash Across the State with Stops in Tri-Cities, Wenatchee, Tacoma, Seattle and Anacortes
2019 Press Releases
2017 Press Releases
Seattle Polar Plunge
Kennewick Polar Plunge
2016 Press Releases
Breakfast with Champions
Winter Games Release
USA Games Sports Team
Summer Games
Summer Sports Classic
Sounders Sendoff
Red Robin
Polar Plunge Tacoma
Polar Plunge Release
House Raffle Release
Hoopfest
Turkey Bowl
Bowling
Red Robin
2015 Press Releases
World Games Send Off
Winter Games 2015
Turkey Bowl
Summer Games
Summer Sports Classic
Polar Plunge Tacoma
Red Robin Polar Plunge
Over the Edge Spokane
House Raffle
Kenmore Bowling
House Raffle Talking Points
Seattle U Soccer
Breakfast with Champions
2014 Press Releases
Special Olympics Polar Plunge
SPORT Restaurant to Celebrate Athletes & Winter Games
Tacoma Polar Plunge
Winter Games 2014
House Raffle Early Bird Drawing #1
Unified Soccer Kickoff
2014 Breakfast with Champions!
Summer Games 2014
US National Games
Over the Edge Spokane
New CEO: Dave Lenox
Over the Edge Seattle
Red Robin Tip-A-Cop
2013 Press Releases
Special Olympics World Winter Games
Special Olympics World Winter Games Sendoff
World Winter Games Results
Special Olympics Polar Plunge Seattle
Special Olympics Polar Plunge Tacoma
Special Olympics Winter Games 2013
Special Olympics Seattle Unified Soccer Kickoff
Special Olympics Tacoma Unified Soccer Kickoff
Special Olympics South America Unified Soccer Invitational
Summer Games 2013
Krispy Kreme & Special Olympics
Over the Edge Spokane
Buffalo Wild Wings for Special Olympics
Run from the Cops Renton
Over the Edge Seattle
Run from the Cops
Red Robin Tip-a-Cop
Unified Basketball Kickoff