Special Olympics Athlete Design Co_Lab: A news report by athlete Anita Forde

Written by Anita Forde / Photographed by Camilynne Nelson 

Special Olympics held the Athletes Design Co_Lab in the America First Field Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA on July 16th 2025. Athletes from around the world got together to help come up with design ideas to use with Special Olympics Merchandise for people around the world to buy on the Special Olympics website. 

This is the first time ever that Special Olympics held such an event and it did not disappoint! Sixteen athletes from seven countries took part in person. Other athletes participated online by video call. The athletes were paired with other Special Olympic athletes, professional graphic designers, content creators, influencers, and celebrities.

Anita Forde from Palmerstown Wildcats Special Olympics Club was one of sixteen athletes and one of four Special Olympics Europe Eurasia athletes selected to take part, representing Ireland for this event.

The exciting, full-on day started with a red carpet walk through. Professional photographers took photos, and mascots got in on the action: Leo the Lion from Real Salt Lake football club and Bumble the Bee from Salt Lake Bees baseball team! The event opened with a video of Timothy Shriver giving an encouraging, inspiring message to the athletes. The athletes were given black t-shirts for the event, with an event logo on the back and a Special Olympics logo on the front.

Anita got to work with fellow athlete Morgan representing Utah, USA, together with a graphic designer and a travel journalist, Jessica Gee, to create a t-shirt design that represents what’s best about Special Olympics. KSL News interviewed Anita about the event and kwhat inclusion means to her. Anita was featured in the TV News later that evening saying: “Inclusion means no one gets left behind. We’re one big family."

The athletes were given a tour of the stadium and presented with gifts as a “thank you” for participating in the event. Mentors, celebrities, content creators, influencers, Special Olympics staff and staff from event sponsor Boncom formed an honorary wall at the entrance of the field, cheering the athletes on as they proceeded out onto the field. 

A group photo was taken with the customised jersey bearing the athletes names. The athletes’ names were displayed on huge screens around the stadium naming their sports and where they were from.

After the tour, the athletes got to unveil their T-shirt designs. Anita and Morgan presented their T-shirt, explaining the meaning behind their design. They displayed their image of a stepping stone leading up to the message to Never Give Up. The highly successful event concluded with a speech of gratitude by the First Lady of Utah, Abby Cox. 

It was a brilliant event. It was an amazing opportunity, and I am grateful to be able to come and meet athletes from across the world. What an incredible experience for athletes to meet one another and have their designs on the Special Olympics website for people around the world to buy. We were proud to represent our country and to be part of Special Olympics movement to inspire and spread the word of Inclusion.