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Special Olympics provides Olympics-type sport training and competition to athletes 8 or older. For children with intellectual disabilities ages 2 through 7, Special Olympics provides a Young Athletes Program.Meet our Athletes
Global News Special Olympics coaches have a unique opportunity to work with athletes in competitive situations to assist in their training for life. As a grass-roots organization, Special Olympics relies on volunteers at all levels of the movement to ensure that every athlete is offered a quality sports training and competition experience. Individual donors, corporate partners and many others make it possible for Special Olympics to offer children and adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy through participation in the program.
Coke Ad Featuring Special Olympics Athletes is among the Best-Remembered, Most-Liked Olympic Commercials
 
The "R-word" is No Joke
Maria Shriver, First Lady of California, speaks out against the R-word
 
Special Olympics, The Arc of the United States, the American Association of Persons With Disabilities and a large group of supporting organizations have taken the lead in promoting acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities and persuading people to pledge not to use the r-word.
 
Be a fan of dignity. Don't use the "R-word" (retard). Join the R-word campaign.
 
 
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IN THE NEWS
Be a fan of inspiration.  Meet George Papadopoulos
Special Olympics Hellas (Greece) athlete George Papadopoulos provided Stefanos Meltsis the inspiration he needed to complete a 26-kilometer open-water swim.
As Stefanos Meltsis stood on the beach of Greece's Toroneos Gulf watching the waves crash in front of him, the task at hand - to swim the full 26-kilometer length of the Gulf - seemed insurmountable.

FOCUS ON Athlete Leadership
Jimmy Masina of South Africa
Through the Special Olympics Officials Program for Athletes (SOOPA), athletes take on new roles and responsibilities. Special Olympics South Africa Athlete Nhlanhla "Jimmy" Masina takes another step toward his dream after being chosen as a floor hockey official for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
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Created by the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation
for the benefit of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities.
To get involved with Special Olympics, please contact your local Program.
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