Special Olympics

2003 Special Olympics Opening Crowd

Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017 reception Vienna 04

Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. The Special Olympics are held worldwide, offering training and competitions in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

History

The Special Olympics were founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who saw the need for a sports program for people with intellectual disabilities. The first International Special Olympics Games were held at Soldier Field in Chicago, with about 1,000 athletes from the United States and Canada. Since then, the Special Olympics have grown to include millions of athletes in programs all around the world.

Mission and Vision

The mission of the Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This gives them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

Sports

Special Olympics offer training and competition opportunities in over 30 summer and winter sports. These range from track and field, basketball, and swimming, to less traditional sports such as bocce, floor hockey, and snowboarding. The choice of sports varies by program and athletes' interests and abilities.

Global Reach

The Special Olympics movement has grown significantly since its inception. It now includes over 5 million athletes and Unified Sports partners in over 190 countries. The organization hosts World Summer and Winter Games, which occur every two years, alternating between summer and winter sports. These games are among the world's largest sporting events for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Unified Sports

Unified Sports is a program within the Special Olympics that brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same teams for training and competition. This initiative promotes social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences.

Health Programs

Special Olympics also focuses on the health of its athletes. Through programs like Healthy Athletes, Special Olympics provides free health screenings and education to athletes in areas such as dentistry, audiology, physical therapy, and nutrition. These programs help to address the underserved healthcare needs of people with intellectual disabilities.

Education and Leadership

Beyond sports, the Special Olympics also offers a range of leadership and education programs for athletes. These include athlete leadership programs, where athletes learn to speak out for themselves and others, and the Young Athletes program, which introduces children aged 2-7 years with and without intellectual disabilities to the world of sport, with the aim of preparing them for Special Olympics sports training.

Impact

The impact of the Special Olympics is profound, offering athletes the chance to gain confidence, build character, and develop physical and social skills. The movement also plays a critical role in changing societal perceptions and attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities, promoting a more inclusive community for all.