Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round View Story ▼Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for nearly 3.5 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 170 countries, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people’s diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship.

Special Olympics serves more than 4 million persons with intellectual disabilities in 226 Programs in 170 countries.View Story ▼Special Olympics serves more than 4 million persons with intellectual disabilities in 226 Programs in 170 countries.

"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."View Story ▼"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develView Story ▼To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving 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.

Children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image. They View Story ▼Children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image. They grow mentally, socially and spiritually and, through their activities, exhibit boundless courage and enthusiasm, enjoy the rewards of friendship and ultimately discover not only new abilities and talents but "their voices" as well.

Timothy Shriver serves as Chairman of the Board. Special Olympics guides local, area, state/provincial and national Programs around the world. A volunteer Board of Directors determines international pView Story ▼Timothy Shriver serves as Chairman of the Board. Special Olympics guides local, area, state/provincial and national Programs around the world. A volunteer Board of Directors determines international policies and is composed of business and sport leaders, professional athletes, educators and experts in intellectual disability from around the world.

To be eligible to participate in Special Olympics, you must be at least 8 years old and identified by an agency or professional as having one of the following conditions: intellectual disabilities, coView Story ▼To be eligible to participate in Special Olympics, you must be at least 8 years old and identified by an agency or professional as having one of the following conditions: intellectual disabilities, cognitive delays as measured by formal assessment, or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay that require or have required specially designed instruction. The Special Olympics Young Athletes™ program was created for children with intellectual disabilities ages 2 through 7.

Yes, through Special Olympics Motor Activities Training Program (MATP), developed by physical educators, physical therapists and recreation therapists. MATP emphasizes training and participation ratheView Story ▼Yes, through Special Olympics Motor Activities Training Program (MATP), developed by physical educators, physical therapists and recreation therapists. MATP emphasizes training and participation rather than competition.

In Special Olympics competitions, athletes of all ability levels are encouraged to participate, and every athlete is recognized for his or her performance. Through a process called divisioning, SpeciaView Story ▼In Special Olympics competitions, athletes of all ability levels are encouraged to participate, and every athlete is recognized for his or her performance. Through a process called divisioning, Special Olympics competitions are structured so that athletes compete with other athletes of similar ability in equitable divisions.

Special Olympics World Games are held every four years both in Summer and in Winter. The next Special Olympics World Games is the Winter Games scheduled to kick off 25 January 2013 in PyeongChange, ReView Story ▼Special Olympics World Games are held every four years both in Summer and in Winter. The next Special Olympics World Games is the Winter Games scheduled to kick off 25 January 2013 in PyeongChange, Republic of Korea.

 The first Summer Games were held in Chicago, Illinois, USA, in 1968. and the most recent Summer Games were held in Athens, Greece, from 25 June - 4 July 2011. The first Winter Games were held in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA, from 5-11 February, 1977, and the most recent Winter Games were held in Boise, Idaho, USA., from 7 -13 February 2009.

In addition to the World Games, Special Olympics holds competitions at the local, state/province, country, region and world level every year. In all, more than 50,000 Special Olympics competitions are held every year.

Yes, Special Olympics and the Paralympics are two separate and distinct organizations with specific eligibility requirements.View Story ▼Yes, Special Olympics and the Paralympics are two separate and distinct organizations with specific eligibility requirements.