WWE announces new partnership with Special Olympics

Superstars supporting global 'Play Unified' campaign

ORLANDO, Fla. – The WWE made a big announcement Monday saying it is supporting a global initiative that encourages people with and without disabilities to unite through the power of sports.

It takes sweat and a lot of strength to pull off the amazing feats of a WWE superstar. A group of Special Olympic athletes got a first hand look at all their hard work at the WWE Performance Center.

"I like all of it, bring your muscles and it's awesome and become like John Cena," Special Olympic athlete Cesar Aponte said.

This group of athletes and superstars kicked off a new partnership between the WWE and Special Olympics through the "Play Unified" campaign. It is a global initiative that unites people with and without intellectual disabilities through the power and love of sports. 
 
"Special Olympics is about acceptance, it's about inclusion," WWE superstar Big Show said. "When you look at how Special Olympic athletes compete, how the athletes demonstrate sportsmanship on another level...it's not about winning, it's about everybody successfully competing together. Everybody wins."

The unifiers say it is more than just playing on the same team. It is about being a role model for the athletes.
"You get to show them how teamwork is more than about working together on the field," Yarek Aponte with Play Unified said. "It's about working together outside as well as getting to know your partners and all that bonding."

A bond that goes beyond the weight room.

"That positive can-do attitude of everyone working together is not something you learn in the ring," Big Show said. "That experience with Special Olympics transcends into other areas of your life."


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