See how our athletes did!
Get ready for the Special Olympics World Games #Berlin2023 with the newly launched website!
Global experts discuss the need for urgent policies, practices and programming.
On behalf of our athletes, their families, and our volunteers, we cannot thank our supporters enough for their generosity in 2021. Every dollar helps more athletes step off the sidelines and into the game! Our holiday 2021 donors will be featured on our Champions Wall, thanks to our partners at The Coca-Cola Company and JD Finish Line.
Presentamos una nueva forma de ejerciciarse, con el Jugador de Segunda Base de Nueva York Gleyber Torres y el Catcher de Chicago Willson Contreras.
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Introducing a new way to exercise, featuring New York Second Baseman Gleyber Torres and Chicago Catcher Willson Contreras.
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Introducing a new way to exercise, featuring New York Second Baseman Gleyber Torres and Chicago Catcher Willson Contreras.
Advocating for priority access to the vaccine is more important now than ever! People with ID are dying of COVID-19 at much higher rates than the general population.
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In every corner of the earth, Special Olympics is changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. These stories come from all around the world-
Inclusion Works!
We celebrate our most inclusive games in Special Olympics history by profiling global athletes competing in the Abu Dhabi World Games in March. -
50 Game Changers
ESPN and Special Olympics have teamed up on a year-long storytelling initiative telling the stories of game changers and game changing moments toward inclusion. Check back each week for a new story of inclusion. - Pledge to Include
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Stories of Inclusion
Special Olympics and over 5 Million of our athletes are leading the charge for full inclusion of people with Intellectual Disabilities (ID). The movement is rooted in the spirit of our founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who took a rebellious stand against the injustices faced by people with Intellectual Disabilities in 1968. Today, the fight for inclusion is more relevant than ever. People of all ages, races, genders, cultures, backgrounds, and abilities continue to face discrimination, ignorance, and disparagement. Just as Eunice Kennedy Shriver did 50 years ago, Special Olympics is setting a stake in the ground to create change and, this time, our athletes are leading the way.
Stay In TouchSee inspiring stories, photos and videos in our Special Olympics monthly newsletter.
JR Jackson of CBS Sports Radio teamed up with Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® to host the "Media for the Movement" tour.1 Min Read
The world's number one tennis player with down syndrome, Tim Gould, shows us how to be a champion.2 Min Read
Lindo Antonio shared his story with Namibia Economist in honor of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.1 Min Read -
Inclusion Works!
Special Olympics offers many ways to take part. There are short-term and long-term volunteer opportunities, the option of playing Unified Sports and to become a Special Olympics athlete.
Make a Difference
Please donate and help us get one more athlete onto the playing field.
OUR ORGANIZATION
- About UsThrough the power of sports, people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities, skills and success. Our athletes inspire people in their communities and elsewhere to open their hearts to a wider world of human talents and potential.
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Our Mission
The mission of Special Olympics is 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. -
History
From a backyard summer camp for people with intellectual disabilities to a global movement, Special Olympics has been changing lives and attitudes since 1968. -
Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of Special Olympics, was a pioneer in the worldwide struggle for rights and acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities. -
Leadership Teams
Special Olympics is led by a senior management team with broad corporate and nonprofit experience. Seven regional offices around the world are headed up by managing directors who support the ongoing growth and development of programs in their regions. In addition, Special Olympics has a Global Athlete Leadership Council which features an Athlete Leader from each of the seven regions and provides feedback, guidance, and ideas to the Special Olympics International Board of Directors and Leadership Team. -
About Intellectual Disabilities
Children and adults with intellectual disabilities inspire us every day at Special Olympics events around the world. But what are intellectual disabilities?
Our revolution starts with you. Upload your video, photos and story to add your voice to the unified generation.
#unifiedgeneration
2022 Special Olympics USA Games wins the Amazon Web Services Grant for nonprofits.1 Min Read
Special Olympics athletes participated in a workshop to help design the logo.1 Min Read
A Special Holiday Greeting from Athletes and Friends of Special Olympics*1 Min Read
A wonderful video created by Special Olympics Lebanon team and athletes to wish everyone a joyful Christmas holiday. -
Our Mission
Our Reach
5,755,056
ATHLETES
114,888
COMPETITIONS
1,194,337
VOLUNTEERS
200
COUNTRIES & JURISDICTIONS
157,319
ATHLETE HEALTH SCREENINGS
5%
INCREASE IN UNIFIED TEAMMATES
Featured Partners
Supporting Special Olympics throughout the world
