Creating an Inclusive World
Special Olympics is a global sports movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities.
Get Involved
What We Do
Every day, Special Olympics events are taking place around the globe transforming the lives of millions of individuals with intellectual disabilities both on and off the playing field.
Sports
Special Olympics supports over 5 million athletes, unified partners, coaches and volunteers with 32 Olympic-type sports.
Inclusive Health
Improving the health and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities.
Youth and Schools
Empowering Youth Leaders, educators, coaches, and families to build inclusive schools and communities for all.
Leadership
Unleashing leadership potential in people of all abilities.
Make a Difference
Please donate and help us get one more athlete onto the playing field.
Stories of Impact
Stories from around the world, inspiring courage, hope and confidence.
‘Celebrate the Exceptional’ Campaign Launches Ahead of Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025
Initiative to highlight achievements of eight European athletes, each competing in one of the eight sports featured in Turin 2025
2 Min Read
Special Olympics Unified with Refugees initiative brings hope in Madrid
Special Olympics Unified with Refugees Senior Advisor Gerald Mballe travelled to Madrid, Spain, to visit a refugee reception center and a local school, and foster connections between refugees, people with intellectual disabilities and their host communities.
2 Min Read
2024 Special Olympics Holiday Card
As 2024 draws to a close, Special Olympics extends warm wishes and tremendous thanks to our outstanding athletes, coaches, volunteers, staff, and supporters from all over the world.
Youth Empowered, Leaders Inspired: Rockie Zhao
Rockie began playing Unified Sports with a friend. This small action eventually became a regular part of her life and eventually into a passion she pursued.
2 Min Read
Faces of Inclusion: Sammy’s Journey
Sammy’s childhood is a familiar story for many children with intellectual disabilities (ID) who grow up in environments where differences are misunderstood and punished.
2 Min Read
How Special Olympics is Powering Inclusive Sport with the Help of Sport Partnerships Around the World
A new report from Special Olympics reveals how a surge in new sport partnerships is helping to power the spread of global inclusion.
4 Min Read
Our Global Reach
With 5 competitions per hour across the globe, our movement represents over 5.3 million athletes, unified partners, coaches, and volunteers.
4,238,388
Athletes and Unified Partners
256
National and State Programs
20,160
Unified Schools
366,978
Coaches
72,468
Athlete Health Screenings
777,670
Volunteers
Join Our Movement
Join our movement, belong to an inspiring community and help us to build a better tomorrow for people of all abilities. With over 30 sports and nearly 50,000 games every year, there's an opportunity for you!
Become an Athlete
Become a Coach
Become a Volunteer
Featured Partners
Supporting Special Olympics throughout the world
Official Global Partner of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® Healthy Hearing program
Stay Connected
Share your contact information so we can keep you up-to-date on all of the exciting work happening within our movement.