Special Olympics drops COVID vaccine mandate after Florida threatens $27.5 million fine

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida threatened to fine Special Olympics International $27.5 million for requiring 5,500 participants at the USA Games in Orlando to be vaccinated against COVID, prompting the organization to drop the mandate. “There needs to be a choice in this regard,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said at an event in Orlando surrounded by a cheering crowd that included athletes for the games set to begin Sunday. “Let them compete. We want everyone to be able to compete.” News of the dispute was first reported by Jay O’Brien of ABC News. In a letter sent to the Special Olympics International on Thursd...