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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.
athletes playing football (soccer)


Reaching New Heights
Special Olympics athletes climb Mt. Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia.
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Gymnastics Legend Nadia Comaneci Scores Another Perfect 10
Olympic gold medalist and Special Olympics Vice Chair appears with athletes to support Special Olympics Romania.
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Volunteer Sports Officials Needed for 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games
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IN THE NEWS


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Be a fan of pride. Meet the Manzaneres family
Lia Manzaneres
Lia did us proud as she won her first gold medal, which she brought to school to encourage her classmates, who are also children with special needs, to participate in Special Olympics events.
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FOCUS ON Healthy Athletes
Moise Ahoussimou all smiles.
Thanks to a Healthy Athletes vision screening, Special Olympics Benin athlete Moise Ahoussimou received the care he needed to allow him to see for the first time. “Tell Mum Yalo [Special Olympics Benin National Director Marie-Jeanne Dagnon-Yalo] that now I can see what life is, I can see what the world looks like.”
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Starwood Hotels & Resorts, the Exclusive Hotel Sponsor of Special Olympics, will donate US$50 to Special Olympics for select beds sold online or through its Westin at Home catalog.
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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.
Send comments and suggestions to: info@specialolympics.org