Our Impact
Special Olympics is creating a more inclusive world through the power of sport, health, education, and leadership. Our impact extends far beyond the playing field—empowering athletes to lead, improving access to health care and education, strengthening communities, and demonstrating what is possible when everyone is included.
By the Numbers
5,139,344
Total Participation
88,748
Total Competitions
29,005
Local Clubs and Programs
963,899
Volunteers
99,326
Schools Engaged in Special Olympics
105,486
Healthy Athlete Screening
Global Impact
Click the pins to learn more.
Asia Pacific
- Total Participation (Athletes + Unified Partners): 689,345
- Total Competitions: 14,006
- Local Clubs and Programs: 726
- Volunteers: 92,222
- Schools Engaged: 54,472
- Healthy Athlete Screening: 930
North America
- Total Participation (Athletes + Unified Partners): 941,670
- Total Competitions: 23,813
- Local Clubs and Programs: 14,729
- Volunteers: 543,472
- Schools Engaged: 20,460
- Healthy Athlete Screening: 64,974
Middle East / North Africa
- Total Participation (Athletes + Unified Partners): 225,701
- Total Competitions: 6,027
- Local Clubs and Programs: 1,139
- Volunteers: 17,389
- Schools Engaged: 1,493
- Healthy Athlete Screening: 6,294
Africa
- Total Participation (Athletes + Unified Partners): 470,769
- Total Competitions: 17,808
- Local Clubs and Programs: 1,433
- Volunteers: 29,148
- Schools Engaged: 11,714
- Healthy Athlete Screening: 5508
Latin America
- Total Participation (Athletes + Unified Partners): 436,497
- Total Competitions: 8,414
- Local Clubs and Programs: 2,460
- Volunteers: 66,065
- Schools Engaged: 3,141
- Healthy Athlete Screening: 13,264
East Asia
- Total Participation (Athletes + Unified Partners): 1,950,077
- Total Competitions: 10,113
- Local Clubs and Programs: 646
- Volunteers: 153,398
- Schools Engaged: 2,947
- Healthy Athlete Screening: 2,992
Europe Eurasia
- Total Participation (Athletes + Unified Partners): 425,285
- Total Competitions: 8,567
- Local Clubs and Programs: 7,872
- Volunteers: 62,205
- Schools Engaged: 5,099
- Healthy Athlete Screening: 11,524
Region Reports
These reports provide valuable insight about region performance during the year and outlines how we are aiming to advance the mission of Eunice Kennedy Shriver into the future.
2025 Annual Report: Special Olympics Asia Pacific
Discover how we’re breaking barriers and advancing inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Asia Pacific through sports, inclusive health, athlete and youth leadership, organizational development, partnerships, storytelling and governance.
2024 Annual Report: Special Olympics East Asia
A highlight of this year featuring sports, events, leadership, milestones, health, and more.
2022 – 2023 Annual Report: Special Olympics Africa Region
Sport continues to be at the center of Special Olympics—and we will use this catalyst to increase education to include the population of people with ID.
2024 Annual Report: Special Olympics Latin America
Highlighting 2024’s many accomplishments in sports, inclusive health, leadership, partnerships, education & youth, and regional events.
2024 Annual Report: Special Olympics Asia Pacific
Highlighting advancements in inclusion encompassing sports & competitions, inclusive health, youth and athlete leadership, organizational development, and more.
2023 Annual Report: Special Olympics East Asia
A highlight of this year featuring sports, events, leadership, milestones, health, and more.
2023 Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Foundation Financial Statements
Directors’ Annual Report and Financial Statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2023.
2023 Annual Report: Special Olympics Asia Pacific
Delve into the key milestones and successes of the Asia Pacific region with a focus on recovering, rebuilding, and strengthening post-pandemic.
2022 Annual Report: Special Olympics East Asia
This report highlights East Asia's incredible year, including non-stop sports, competitions, Unified Leadership, major milestones in Inclusive Health, events, and more.
2022 Annual Report: Special Olympics Asia Pacific
This report captures the key highlights and achievements across the Asia Pacific region in 2022, through year-round sports activities, youth and athlete leadership as well as inclusive health.
2022 SO Europe Eurasia Foundation Financial Statements
Directors’ Annual Report and Financial Statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2022.
2021 Annual Report: Special Olympics East Asia
Find out more about the impact, key highlights and milestones achieved across East Asia through on and off line events related to sports, youth engagement, leadership, advocacy, etc.
2020 – 2021 Annual Report: Special Olympics Africa
During the past two years, 2020 and 2021, the Africa Region has seen many "first evers" across our 37 Programs, and across the world. Read about the achievements of our athletes and Programs here.
2020 – 2021 Annual Report: Special Olympics Latin America
Highlighting 2020 and 2021’s accomplishments in sports, inclusive health, leadership, partnerships, education & youth, and regional events.
2021 Annual Report: Special Olympics Asia Pacific
Find out more about the impact, key highlights and milestones achieved across the Asia Pacific region through year-round sports activities, athlete and youth leadership, inclusive health, advocacy, and leadership excellence.
2021 SO Europe Eurasia Foundation Financial Statements
Directors’ Annual Report and Financial Statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2021.
2020 Annual Report: Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa
Report capturing key highlights, milestones and achievements of year-round sports and non-sports activities of a region led by athletes, learn more about the impact of the movement of inclusion in MENA here.
2019 Annual Report: Special Olympics East Asia
Special Olympics in East Asia grew to 1,434,390 athletes, and the numbers of coaches, volunteers and competitions all keep growing in 2019.
2019 Annual Report: Special Olympics Asia Pacific
In 2019 the movement in Asia Pacific grew to 2,122,516 athletes, a significant growth of almost 9%. We also saw the delivery of 39,493 competitions and hit a high of 5,970 unified competition.
2018 – 2019 Annual Report: Special Olympics Africa
Over 2018 and 2019, the Africa Region recorded success in several areas of service, including program growth, youth engagement and the introduction of Unified Sports to refugee programs.
2018 Annual Report: Special Olympics Latin America
In 2018, Special Olympics Latin America reached 378,879 athletes, strengthened its ties with governments across the region, and fostered commitment to the Inclusion Revolution.
2017 Annual Report: Special Olympics Latin America Region
In 2017, Latin America held the biggest event in the region’s history, setting the stage for a renewed, stronger commitment with the Inclusion Revolution.
2017 Annual Report: Special Olympics Africa Region
In 2017, the Africa Region experienced a year of significant growth, as displayed from data and supporting activities in contained this report.
2017 Reach Report: Special Olympics Africa Region
In 2017, the Africa Region reached a total of 289,909 Special Olympics participants and offered 14,479 competitions.
2017 Financial Statements: Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Foundation
The report provides information about the region's grant performance during 2017, and how it expects to grow in the future.
2016 Annual Report: Special Olympics Africa Region
2016 was the start of a new strategic plan reemphasizing the core of Special Olympics: using the power of sport as a catalyst for social change.
2016 Financial Statements: Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Region
The report provides information about the region's grant performance during 2016, and how it expects to grow in the future.
2015 Annual Report: Special Olympics Asia Pacific Region
Moving forward, our focus is to win the battle for the hearts and minds towards people with ID, and create inclusive communities around the world.
2015 Annual Report: Special Olympics East Asia Region
2015 was a milestone year. All six East Asia Programs were represented at the World Games in Los Angeles over 400 athletes competing in 16 sports.
Nonprofit Dashboard
This report contains information from 2013 to 2015. It includes total revenue, organizational expenditures and other financial information.
Stories of Impact
They’ve Been There. They Want to Change It.
Eleven Projects that Could Change Special Olympics from the Ground Up
Trained, Transformed, Impatient
Athlete leaders attending the 2026 SONA Regional Athlete Congress explain why they are done merely talking; they are ready to get to work.
Play Like a Girl
Coinciding with Women’s History Month, these Games sent a powerful message to the world: everyone has a place in sport.
Bravery and Brotherhood: Special Olympics Jamaica’s Inspiring Journey from Wheels to Ice
Twin brothers Dale and Dave Oddman overcame numerous challenges to compete in short track speed skating at the Special Olympics World Winter Games—the least of which was training exclusively on roller blades!
Make a Difference
Please donate and help us get one more athlete onto the playing field.