Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Find Special Olympics Near Me
We are helping to make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place—one athlete, one volunteer, one family member at a time.
Your Program
Based on your location, your local program is %location%.
Your location could not be automatically determined. Choose a program below:
Your Special Olympics Local Program:
Looking for a different local program? Choose a program from the list below:
Africa
""
Asia Pacific
""
East Asia
""
Europe Eurasia
""
Latin America
""
Middle East North Africa
""
North America
""
Find It Fast
Find job opportunities with Special Olympics
What sports does Special Olympics offer?
Contact Special Olympics
Find events near me
Ways to give to Special Olympics

Search Results

There are 6,048 results that match your search. There are 6,048 results that match your search.
Athletes

From the Red Carpet to World Winter Games Turin 2025!

A woman and a man stand in a glamorous dress and black tie on the red carpet with a line of photographers behind them on either side.
Elisa Parutto made one dream come true when she walked the red carpet at the Venice International Film Festival last week with fellow athlete and accomplished actor Gabriele Di Bello. Now, she looks forward to bringing another dream to life when she competes in DanceSport at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025!
Athletes

Happy Father’s Day!

""
This Father’s Day, Special Olympics would like to thank all the dads who participate in this incredible movement! Your support and cheers mean so much to the athletes who compete and your impact is felt by all.
Videos

Jose Peña - SO Venezuela

International Day of Dance 2023Why did you start dancing and how does it make you feel?“I like dancing and I like participating in anything that lets me show other people my skills. It makes me feel happy. I have fun and enjoy doing it!”How do you like dancing with Special Olympics?“I love dancing with Special Olympics because I have the opportunity to compete.”
Community Impact

Running for Unified Schools: Special Olympics Morocco’s Story 

Students from Special Olympics Morocco Unified Schools engage in a football match
Special Olympics Morocco participates in the Marrakech Marathon.
Programs

Uganda

""
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.
Press Releases

BOKS and Special Olympics Announce Partnership to Enhance Physical Activity for Children of All Abilities

BOKS and Special Olympics logo.
BOKS deepens its commitment to inclusive movement for children and communities across the globe by enriching its curriculum with help from Special Olympics
In the News

Special Olympics Global Ambassador Yang Yang on ‘Legends Live On’

Yang Yang holding a microphone, stepping up on a stage, and waving.
Special Olympics Global Ambassador Yang Yang in a new episode of the Olympic Channel’s ‘Legends Live On’ series.

Amanda Ford

Youth Ambassador Amanda
Southern California
About

Frequently Asked Questions

ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Special Olympics is a global organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion among people with and without intellectual disabilities. We unleash the power of the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world.

Through year-round sports, health, education and community building, we change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in 193 countries. We are providing opportunities and helping fight the intolerance, injustice, inactivity and social isolation faced by our four million athletes and Unified Sports® partners.

Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. Everyone involved in Special Olympics—including over 1.1 million coaches and volunteers—also benefits as we strive together for excellence and appreciation of all different abilities.

Jim Ryan

James E. Ryan, Special Olympics Board of Directors
Former President of the University of Virginia
Previous
Next