2006 Special Olympics annual report
 |
2006 annual report |
In 2006, Special Olympics not only continued the impetus of the successful five-year growth campaign to increase the number of athletes to 2.5 million, but also gained momentum in enhancing the quality of athlete experience. Special Olympics was the only sports organization in the world to hold the number and magnitude of global sporting events that it did in 2006, including six major regional competitions—a first in Special Olympics history. That is in addition to the more than 21, 000 competitions around the world that are held each year.
Special Olympics can play an important role in everyone’s life. Through sports, Special Olympics athletes change people’s perception of their abilities. And when communities interact with athletes, stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities give way to acceptance and positive attitudes. Changing attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities is a top priority for Special Olympics.
Past editions of the Special Olympics annual report are also available:
• 2005 Special Olympics annual report
 |
2005 annual report |
In 2005, Special Olympics celebrated the successful culmination of its five-year Campaign for Growth. From 2000-2005, the number of atheltes participating in the movement more than doubled to 2.25 million people with intellectual disabilities around the world. That tremendous growth re-emphasized the fact that Special Olympics is now a global movement - as compelling and meaningful in every country as in any one.
The 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, were spectacular, with more than 1,800 athletes from 84 countries competing in Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding and speed skating. The Games were the first Special Olympics World Games held in Asia, as well as the first to be held on a previous Olympic venue (the 1998 Winter Olympic Games were held in Nagano).
The 2005 annual report details an exciting year that positioned Special Olympics for continued growth, as it changes not only the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, but also those of everyone involved in the movement. The report also provides financial highlights, a list of global supporters and a roster of Special Olympics Programs.
 |
2004 annual report |
• 2004 Special Olympics annual report
In 2004, Special Olympics recorded the fastest annual growth in its history, expanding a spectacular 26 percent. By the end of the year, the movement was enriching the lives and extending the horizons of more than 1.7 million individuals with intellectual disabilities.
As the movement adds athletes to its rosters around the world, it extends their ability to promote the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in all walks of life. It signals how effectively our athletes are leading the movement, capturing the attention and winning the acceptance of those who once ignored or shunned them.
The 2004 annual report focuses on athlete leadership and attitude change, increased involvement and support of the movement by governments around the world, and the many examples of outstanding Special Olympics competition around the globe. The report also provides financial highlights, a list of global supporters and a roster of Special Olympics Programs in 2004.
 |
2003 annual report |
• 2003 Special Olympics annual report
There are times in an organization’s life that are truly pivotal, and 2003 will be remembered as such a time for Special Olympics. This year was epochal for several reasons: there were the magical 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland; the continued growth of the Movement; the Movement’s 35th Anniversary and the year Sargent Shriver, bulwark and best friend of the Movement since its inception 35 years ago, stepped down as Chairman of the Board; it was also a banner year for both health and research, with Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® continuing to add new disciplines and break screening records and the release of the Multinational Study of Attitudes toward Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities.
In addition to above topics, 2003 financial highlights and a condensed balance sheet, the 2003 Special Olympics annual report includes summaries of how technology is uniting the global movement (relaunch of international Web site and new regional sites; Knowledge Management System, Games Management System, Program Development System, Coaching Guides on the Web); recaps of News and Special Events (fundraisers, special initiatives) and much more.
 |
2002 annual report |
• 2002 Special Olympics annual report
Special Olympics is positioned to be not only a leading proponent of social change, but a worldwide force in creating that change. In 2002, the Movement made trendendous strides toward its goal of 2 million athletes by 2005, reaching more than 200,000 new athletes around the world.
The 2002 annual report takes a global look at the Movement, capturing the most memorable moments of the year in each of the seven regions — Africa, Asia Pacific, East Asia, Europe/Eurasia, Latin America, Middle East/North Africa and North America. The report also provides financial highlights, a list of global supporters and a roster of Special Olympics Programs in 2002.
Because of the large file size of the 2002 Special Olympics annual report (owing to the many photographs included) it is available for download and viewing in two separate Adobe Acrobat PDF files.
 |
2001 annual report |
• 2001 Special Olympics annual report
In addition to 2001 financial highlights and a condensed balance sheet, highlights of the 2001 report include coverage of the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games; highlights of African Hope 2001; a year of historic growth in China; the Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs) initiative; the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics celebrating its 20th year; Regional Growth; Special Olympics Healthy Athletes™ initiative; the first Special Olympics Global Youth Summit; expansion of the Family Support Network; volunteers; the year in competition; sponsors; and a list of "firsts" for Special Olympics.