East Asia Region
Special Olympics works closely with its six accredited programs in East Asia to offer summer and winter sports for more than 1.2 million athletes with intellectual disabilities. East Asia has also hosted two World Games competitions: the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China, and the 2013 World Winter Games in PyeongChang, Korea.
Stories from East Asia
Media Coverage: Official Sports and Venues Announced for Santiago 2027
The road to the Special Olympics World Games Santiago 2027 is gaining momentum with the unveiling of the Games’ 23-sport program and competition venues.
1 Min Read
Special Olympics World Games Santiago 2027 Unveils 23-Sport Program and Competition Venues
[Santiago, Chile – 10 November, 2026] The road to the Special Olympics World Games Santiago 2027 has reached another major milestone with the announcement of the 23-strong sport program and competition venues at a ceremony led by Chilean Minister of Sports Francisco Riveros at Parque Estadio Nacional on 10 November.
3 Min Read
A night of stars: Chile lights the cauldron of the Special Olympics Invitational Games – Road to Santiago 2027
Featuring a parade of nearly 700 athletes and Unified partners from eight delegations, live music, and the lighting of the “Flame of Hope”, Court Central of Parque Estadio Nacional marked the beginning of the major prelude to Santiago 2027, the first-ever Special Olympics World Games to be held in Latin America.
2 Min Read
East Asia Contact Information
IN PERSON
1506, Tower 1, 18 Jianguomennei Avenue
Beijing, China 100005
Beijing, China 100005
East Asia Programs
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China
Special Olympics is a global organization that serves more than 4 million athletes with intellectual disabilities working with hundreds of thousands of volunteers and coaches each year. Since the establishment of Special Olympics in 1968, the number of people with and without intellectual disabilities who are involved with the organization has been growing, but the unmet need to reach more people with intellectual disabilities is staggering.
It’s at the local level—right here-—where interested volunteers meet the athletes. That’s where the perceptions start to change and where the miracle of transformation takes place.
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Those activities give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.
Download the Special Olympics China FactSheet -
Chinese Taipei
Special Olympics is a global organization that serves athletes with intellectual disabilities working with hundreds of thousands of volunteers and coaches each year. Since the establishment of Special Olympics in 1968, the number of people with and without intellectual disabilities who are involved with the organization has been growing, but the unmet need to reach more people with intellectual disabilities is staggering.
It’s at the local level—right here—where interested volunteers meet the athletes. That’s where the perceptions start to change and where the miracle of transformation takes place.
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Those activities give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.
Download the Special Olympics Chinese Taipei Factsheet -
Hong Kong
Special Olympics is a global organization that athletes with intellectual disabilities working with hundreds of thousands of volunteers and coaches each year. Since the establishment of Special Olympics in 1968, the number of people with and without intellectual disabilities who are involved with the organization has been growing, but the unmet need to reach more people with intellectual disabilities is staggering.
It’s at the local level—right here—where interested volunteers meet the athletes. That’s where the perceptions start to change and where the miracle of transformation takes place.
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Those activities give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.
Download the Special Olympics Hong Kong Factsheet -
Korea
Special Olympics is a global organization that serves athletes with intellectual disabilities working with hundreds of thousands of volunteers and coaches each year. Since the establishment of Special Olympics in 1968, the number of people with and without intellectual disabilities who are involved with the organization has been growing, but the unmet need to reach more people with intellectual disabilities is staggering
It’s at the local level—right here—where interested volunteers meet the athletes. That’s where the perceptions start to change and where the miracle of transformation takes place.
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Those activities give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.
Download the Special Olympics Korea Factsheet -
Macau
Special Olympics is a global organization that serves athletes with intellectual disabilities working with hundreds of thousands of volunteers and coaches each year. Since the establishment of Special Olympics in 1968, the number of people with and without intellectual disabilities who are involved with the organization has been growing, but the unmet need to reach more people with intellectual disabilities is staggering.
It’s at the local level—right here—where interested volunteers meet the athletes. That’s where the perceptions start to change and where the miracle of transformation takes place.
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Those activities give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.
Download the Special Olympics Macau Factsheet -
Mongolia
Special Olympics is a global organization that serves athletes with intellectual disabilities working with hundreds of thousands of volunteers and coaches each year. Since the establishment of Special Olympics in 1968, the number of people with and without intellectual disabilities who are involved with the organization has been growing, but the unmet need to reach more people with intellectual disabilities is staggering.
It’s at the local level—right here—where interested volunteers meet the athletes. That’s where the perceptions start to change and where the miracle of transformation takes place.
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Those activities give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.
Download the Special Olympics Mongolia Factsheet
East Asia Region Resources
Here you'll find resources for Special Olympics East Asia (SOEA) region and programs.
Special Olympics East Asia Partners
Special Olympics Founding Partner
Sponsor of Special Olympics
Sponsor of Special Olympics
Sponsor of Special Olympics East Asia
Sponsor of Special Olympics East Asia
Sponsor of Special Olympics East Asia
Sponsor of Special Olympics East Asia
Partner of Special Olympics East Asia
Sponsor for Special Olympics East Asia Healthy Athletes
