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Special Olympics Pilipinas (SOP) is dedicated to empowering athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the Philippines. Our vision is to cultivate inclusive spaces in schools and community sports clubs nationwide. These are environments where every athlete, regardless of ability, can experience the transformative joy of sport and the power of lifelong friendship.

Currently, we are proud to support a growing community of 1,000 athletes, supported by a network of 15 grassroots sports clubs, 32 Unified Champion Schools and 15 UCS Banner Schools. To ensure this impact is both efficient and sustainable, we work in close partnership with the Philippine government. Through strategic collaborations with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and various Local Government Units (LGUs), we are integrating inclusive sports into the national fabric. This allows us to establish accessible, weekly training sessions in school and community sports clubs across the country, providing our athletes with a consistent and reliable space to grow, compete, and belong.

Our holistic approach combines athletic training with vital health services. By linking our year-round sports programs with the Healthy Athletes® program, we provide our community with essential access to specialized healthcare. By reaching as many athletes as possible across the archipelago, we ensure that health and sport go hand in hand for every participant.

As we continue to grow, we look forward to reaching even more athletes nationwide, as every individual deserves access to the inclusive spaces that Special Olympics Pilipinas offers. By integrating our sports clubs with Unified partners and volunteers, we are slowly but surely fostering a culture of belonging by breaking down barriers and dismantling stigmas against people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PIDDs) across the country. At Special Olympics Pilipinas, we aren't just playing a game; we are building a future where everyone is welcome.

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 Malaysia Fact Sheet

Special Olympics Pilipinas (SOP) is dedicated to empowering athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the Philippines. Our vision is to cultivate inclusive spaces in schools and community sports clubs nationwide. These are environments where every athlete, regardless of ability, can experience the transformative joy of sport and the power of lifelong friendship.

Currently, we are proud to support a growing community of 1,000 athletes, supported by a network of 15 grassroots sports clubs, 32 Unified Champion Schools and 15 UCS Banner Schools. To ensure this impact is both efficient and sustainable, we work in close partnership with the Philippine government. Through strategic collaborations with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and various Local Government Units (LGUs), we are integrating inclusive sports into the national fabric. This allows us to establish accessible, weekly training sessions in school and community sports clubs across the country, providing our athletes with a consistent and reliable space to grow, compete, and belong.

Our holistic approach combines athletic training with vital health services. By linking our year-round sports programs with the Healthy Athletes® program, we provide our community with essential access to specialized healthcare. By reaching as many athletes as possible across the archipelago, we ensure that health and sport go hand in hand for every participant.

As we continue to grow, we look forward to reaching even more athletes nationwide, as every individual deserves access to the inclusive spaces that Special Olympics Pilipinas offers. By integrating our sports clubs with Unified partners and volunteers, we are slowly but surely fostering a culture of belonging by breaking down barriers and dismantling stigmas against people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PIDDs) across the country. At Special Olympics Pilipinas, we aren't just playing a game; we are building a future where everyone is welcome.

Everyone’s health needs should be included in the healthcare system, and people with intellectual disabilities deserve to have access to a healthcare environment that best addresses their specific health needs.

Special Olympics Pilipinas (SOP) is dedicated to empowering athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the Philippines. Our vision is to cultivate inclusive spaces in schools and community sports clubs nationwide. These are environments where every athlete, regardless of ability, can experience the transformative joy of sport and the power of lifelong friendship.

Currently, we are proud to support a growing community of 1,000 athletes, supported by a network of 15 grassroots sports clubs, 32 Unified Champion Schools and 15 UCS Banner Schools. To ensure this impact is both efficient and sustainable, we work in close partnership with the Philippine government. Through strategic collaborations with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and various Local Government Units (LGUs), we are integrating inclusive sports into the national fabric. This allows us to establish accessible, weekly training sessions in school and community sports clubs across the country, providing our athletes with a consistent and reliable space to grow, compete, and belong.

Our holistic approach combines athletic training with vital health services. By linking our year-round sports programs with the Healthy Athletes® program, we provide our community with essential access to specialized healthcare. By reaching as many athletes as possible across the archipelago, we ensure that health and sport go hand in hand for every participant.

As we continue to grow, we look forward to reaching even more athletes nationwide, as every individual deserves access to the inclusive spaces that Special Olympics Pilipinas offers. By integrating our sports clubs with Unified partners and volunteers, we are slowly but surely fostering a culture of belonging by breaking down barriers and dismantling stigmas against people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PIDDs) across the country. At Special Olympics Pilipinas, we aren't just playing a game; we are building a future where everyone is welcome.

Mrs. Shriver has touched my life and the lives of many all around the world.

In celebration of National Nutrition Month, Renee Dease met with Special Olympics Michigan staff member, Health Messenger, and athlete, Kayla Cornell, to talk about how she empowers Special Olympics athletes to build healthier habits through practical cooking skills and nutrition education.

Nine-year-old Dmitri Vӓrno has seen marked improvements in his social development and his understanding of healthy eating through the Special Olympics Inclusive Healthy Lifestyle Groups.

In light of new research from Special Olympics Health published in JAMA Network Open, Renee Dease, a longstanding member of the Special Olympics movement, sat down with Special Olympics Wisconsin athlete and Health Messenger, Heather Holland, to talk about mental health, stigma, and the power of community.

In recognition of World Health Day earlier this month, Renee Dease met with David Duncan, Special Olympics Jamaica Health Messenger and Chairman of Special Olympics International Global Athlete Leadership Council.