Nestlé Health Science becomes global partner to Special Olympics
Nestlé Health Science has announced a $2 million USD multi-year partnership with Special Olympics. The partnership will focus on the Special Olympics Motor Activity Training Program (MATP), and the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® screening protocol.
“Special Olympics is a perfect match for Nestlé Health Science’s mission,” said Anna Mohl, CEO of Nestlé Health Science. “We are very much looking forward to contributing to helping Special Olympics athletes live their healthiest lives through our partnership.”
MATP is Special Olympics’ movement-based sport program for athletes with profound intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have high support needs. Nestlé Health Science will support the development of a holistic Healthy Athletes screening for MATP athletes who face different health challenges than the general Special Olympics athlete population. The evidence-based screening tool will serve to address the risk factors associated with the “fatal five,” the leading causes of preventable death in this population: aspiration; dehydration; infection; bowel obstruction; and seizures. As with Special Olympics’ existing Healthy Athletes model, the screening will offer referrals for additional assessments and care where indicated, as well as provide important health education to both participants and their caregivers.
“Far too often and for far too long, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have faced limited access to high-quality, inclusive health services diminishing the quality and length of their lives,” shared Dimitri Christakis, Chief Health Officer of Special Olympics. “Since 1997, Healthy Athletes has been at the forefront of creating a more equitable health care system, providing more than 2 million free health screenings to people with IDD around the world. As we enter this next chapter of Healthy Athletes with Nestlé Health Science, we’re proud to expand access to critical screenings for athletes with some of the greatest unmet health needs.
The collaboration between Nestlé Health Science and Special Olympics began during the Special Olympics Winter World Games in Turin in March 2025, with Nestlé Health Science employees volunteering at the event. Nestlé Health Science staff also attended the first regional MATP seminar and Family Health Forum in October 2025, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, hosted by Special Olympics Middle East North Africa (MENA) region. The event included participation from all MENA Programs as well as ten Special Olympics Africa representatives (from both the Region and Programs across sport, health, athlete leadership and families).
Gilmour Borg, Sargent Shriver Global Messenger and MATP coach, added: “MATP Healthy Athletes will empower every athlete to stay active, maintain optimal health, and unlock their full potential, on and off the field of play.”
The international partnership agreement will go through the end of 2029 and includes Nestlé Health Science’s commitment to supporting 2027 World Summer Games and 2029 World Winter Games.
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About Nestlé Health Science
Nestlé Health Science, a leader in the science of nutrition, is a globally managed business unit of Nestlé. We are committed to redefining the management of health, offering an extensive portfolio of science-based consumer health, medical nutrition, pharmaceutical therapies, and vitamin and supplement brands. Our extensive research network provides the foundation for products that empower healthier lives through nutrition. Headquartered in Switzerland, we have more than 12,000 employees around the world, with products available in more than 140 countries. www.nestlehealthscience.com
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About Special Olympics
Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health and leadership. With nearly four million athletes and Unified Sports® partners and one million coaches and volunteers in more than 170 countries, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and nearly 50,000 games and competitions every year. Engage with us on: X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Learn more at SpecialOlympics.org.
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Olivia Duggan
Director, Global Health Communications
