LIVE FROM BERLIN: World Games Updates

Join us at our Welcome Back Reception next Thursday evening to hear directly from our athletes about their once-in-a-lifetime experience!

The Special Olympics World Summer Games are still in progress in Berlin, Germany, and Special Olympics DC athlete JoJo Woodland is preparing for his final races, while our Youth Leadership Team landed back in DC just in time for the last day of school.

World Games Coverage continues on ESPN+ and ESPN3 through the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, June 25th.

Here are some updates from Berlin:

Track & Field athlete Joe "JoJo" Woodland attends a welcoming ceremony on June 13th in host town Bremerhaven, a port city on Germany’s North Sea coast. Teammates had a few spare days to bond, explore, and train. JoJo is always smiling!

Youth Leaders, Carlos and Kat, and their teacher, Ms. Sewell, tour the city of Berlin on June 16th, in between sessions at the Global Youth Leadership Summit. They were among only a few students from the U.S. to attend!

JoJo Woodland competes in his first race of the Games on June 19th, the 200m quarterfinals. He finishes 5th in his heat with a speedy time of 29.63 seconds. He will also race in the 400m and 4x400 races.

Carlos and Kat present a Unified Project Proposal to the Youth Summit participants on June 19th. In the fall, they will host a hobby fair at Coolidge High School, to encourage students with and without disabilities to come together over shared interests like skateboarding and cooking.

Making connections and lifelong friends! Carlos, Kat, and Ms. Sewell bond with youth leaders from Mongolia and Hungary during Cultural Night at the Youth Summit on June 20th.

On June 23rd, the second-to-last day of competition, JoJo's coaches award him with the Golden Baton, for his motivation, leadership, dedication.

JoJo has competed every single day of the Games, showing especially strong leadership and camaraderie during his Special Olympics USA 4x4 team race.

Thank you for supporting Special Olympics DC as our athletes take on the world stage. Join us in-person next week to celebrate our athletes and hear about their trips!