We honor the women across the Special Olympics movement committed to creating a gender equal world.
Get your tickets for the Special Olympics World Games Berlin, the largest inclusive sporting event of the year taking place 17 – 25 June 2023.
New Documentary Spotlights the Power of Inclusion in Pakistan
Every day, Special Olympics is building an inclusive world—a world that celebrates ALL abilities. This fall, Special Olympics is celebrating how inclusion makes everybody's life better.
Explore a world of Captivating health resources.
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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.
On October 27 2022, six athletes gathered at Special Olympics headquarters ready to strike a pose on behalf of the Special Olympics Webshop!1 Min Read
I have four meaningful goals for this year that I hope to accomplish, with the love and support of my mentors and staff from Special Olympics and my family and friends.5 Min Read
Athletes, siblings, and youth leaders held the first-ever joined Regional Youth Leadership Summit and Athlete Congress in Johannesburg - the first summit held in the Africa Region since 2019.2 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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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
Happy New Year, everyone! Can you believe it is 2023?! It’s so hard to imagine that four years in my role as an SSIGM have already gone by. I can honestly say these years have certainly been filled with adventure and the unexpected.6 Min Read
Coach Kimberley Farley has been a certified coach since 2006, with swimming being her favorite sport.1 Min Read
Practice Inclusion: End the Use of the R-Word The research shows that when social media users are posting about people with intellectual disabilities, 7 in every 10 of those posts are negative, and 6 in 10 contain a slur.2 Min Read
“Unified Champion Schools are not the only path to social inclusion. But the model is tested, effective and ready to use..."1 Min Read -
Mission
Our Reach
3,131,611
ATHLETES
33,742
COMPETITIONS
527,001
VOLUNTEERS
201
COUNTRIES & JURISDICTIONS
18,496
ATHLETE HEALTH SCREENINGS
15,008
Unified Schools
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Supporting Special Olympics throughout the world
