Above, Jeison Sanabria of Special Olympics Costa Rica is blocked by Special Olympics El Salvador's Geovann Quintanilla and Hector Salazar during a match at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games. [Photo by Tony Gavin, IRELAND OUT] Football (Soccer) is one of the most popular sports offered by Special Olympics and will be included in four of the upcoming regional games and competitions (see below). Special Olympics is the world's largest program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities: it currently serves more than 2.5 million persons with intellectual disabilities in more than 200 Programs in more than 180 countries. Special Olympics offers training and competition opportunities in 30 Olympic-type sports for athletes 8 years or older. (For children with intellectual disabilities ages 2 through 7, see the Special Olympics Families section of this Web site for information on the Young Athletes™ program.) No matter what your ability level, you can benefit from Special Olympics. And no matter what your interest, there is a sport for you. Alternating between Summer and Winter Games, the Special Olympics World Games is a world-class sporting event featuring intense competition and inspiring performances by the great athletes of Special Olympics. In non-World Games years athletes, coaches, volunteers and spectators can enjoy action at the local, state/provincial, national, regional and international levels. Special Olympics is based on the belief that through sports training and competition, people with intellectual disabilities benefit physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually; families are strengthened; and the community at large, both through participation and observation, is united in understanding people with intellectual disabilities in an environment of equality, respect, and acceptance. If you are interested in participating as a Special Olympics athlete, note that each Special Olympics Program has its own athlete registration form. Visit our Program Locator to find contact information for a Special Olympics Program near you, then contact them directly to receive athlete registration materials. Note that Special Olympics and the Paralympics are two separate and distinct organizations with specific eligibility requirements.