On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast recorded on location from the Chicago Ducky Derby 2026, we bring you the excitement of 90,000 ducks splashing into the Chicago River from the Columbus Drive Bridge — all benefiting Special Olympics Illinois.

You’ll hear conversations with sponsors RSM and WayMo, as well as media partners WBBM NewsRadio and WBEZ Chicago Public Radio, who helped share this incredible day with the community.

Make sure you like and subscribe to Special Chronicles, the longest‑running and #1 Special Olympics athlete‑led podcast series covering Special Olympics intellectual disability stories, athlete leadership, and inclusion.

00:00 Introduction 01:55 RSM sponsor 04:30 Waymo sponsor 08:18 WBEZ Chicago Public Radio 15:00 WBBM News Radio 18:49: WBBM Interviewed SOILL Athlete Leaders Daniel Smrokowski and Ryan Murray 21:56 Ducks Drop in the Chicago River 22:13 Closing with a special Choose To Include montage

Help us continue telling stories that celebrate inclusion, leadership, and the power of the Special Olympics movement.

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🦆 Follow and listen to this and more Ducky Derby conversations — and to learn all about the event, head to SpecialChronicles.com/Duck

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Podcast Theme Music: “It Starts With A Voice” written by Amy Wright and performed by Ben Wright, co-founders of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee. Used with permission.

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