News

Unified Reporters: Kayla Helferinch, Mathew Thomas, Max Hinga, Kate Schemper, Lydia Deblecourt

The Special Olympics Unified Cup Detroit 2022 proved to be a week-long event aimed at ensuring there is a place for everyone on and off the playing field. Teams from around the world showcased their athletic ability, eliminating the stigma of those with intellectual disabilities playing on a team with Unified partners. While the teams are Unified – is the playing time?

Cornell was one of 500 attendees at the conference in our nation’s capital, hand-picked by Special Olympics International to represent an underserved population – those individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID).

Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) Athlete, Max Hinga (19), has spent his life creating his own opportunities. The teen has traveled the Unified States as an advocate for Special Olympics, most recently participating in the 2022 USA Games in Orlando as a Youth Ambassador. 

Inclusive youth leadership is when young people of all abilities are given opportunities to be leaders in their schools and communities. These leadership activities help students find their voices and teach them to become change agents in their communities by promoting equity and acceptance. Social inclusion is best fostered when activities within the classroom, school, and community are designed and implemented by a diverse group of students within a school.

Team sports bring people together. Special Olympics Unified Sports® teams do that, too and much more. About 1.4 million people worldwide take part in Unified Sports, breaking down stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities in a really fun way. ESPN has served as the Global Presenting Sponsor of Special Olympics Unified Sports since 2013, supporting the growth and expansion of this program that empowers individuals with and without intellectual disabilities to engage through the power of sports.

Athletes prepare for soccer, softball, golf, cycling, and flag football events in the statewide Fall Games events presented by Real Estate One Charitable Foundation

PONTIAC, MI – Pontiac’s Special Olympics Michigan basketball team was honored by City Council for their silver medal-winning performance at USA Games in Orlando earlier this summer. The City Council issued a resolution during a public meeting, honoring the success of Team Pontiac for their commitment to sport and perseverance.

DETROIT, Michigan, USA, 14 July 2022 – The Special Olympics Unified Cup , presented by Toyota, is pleased to announce commitments from an extraordinary lineup of celebrities and athletes who agreed to lend their voices in support of the hundreds of Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners participating in the Unified Cup.

In its ongoing quest to support the community, Krapohl Ford & Lincoln will set up a 30-foot drive-in movie screen on their lot and entertain area families on Saturday, June 25, with Disney’s latest animated feature, “Encanto.” 

Team Michigan’s message on and off the field shined bright throughout the week, cheering on their competitors and one another. The delegation will travel home Sunday with 19 medals in tow, including 10 gold, 6 silver, and 3 bronze.