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We are helping to make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place—one athlete, one volunteer, one family member at a time.
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Special Olympics Europe Eurasia

Russia

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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 Russia Fact Sheet.
Press Releases

“Mission: Inclusion” Two Decades of Inclusion Through Service for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

A young man with an ocular apparatus over his eyes sitting for an eye exam.
Lions Clubs International and Special Olympics celebrate two decades of partnership.
Community Impact

Not Just Being Invited to the Dance, but Organizing it

Woman standing in from of a group of people giving a presentation and holding a Special Olympics football.
I have been a volunteer with Special Olympics for more than two years now. As a youth leader, I work closely with the athletes of Special Olympics to advocate for a more inclusive society in India and around the world. The life lessons I’ve learned in the course of this journey have been invaluable.
Videos

Ponaganset HS: A Case Study

Ponaganset HS: A Case Study
It takes a lot of work to be a Special Olympics National banner Unified Champion School. To do this, a school must meet the 10 standards of excellence. A great example is Ponaganset High School in Rhode Island. One of the reasons is Ponaganset High School created the Inclusion Pledge. This school created the pledge during the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics. Since then, the pledge has been taken around the world by supporters. Another part of being a Unified Champion School is showing the 3 components. The first component is Unified Sports. Another component is Inclusive Youth Leadership. Finally, the third component is Whole School Engagement. Altogether, the components create a strong and inclusive school. Watch to learn more about Ponaganset High School.
Community Impact

Powering the Special Olympics Health Program

Athletes working out and following the instructions of a volunteer instructor while stretching out in a gym.
For 22 years, Special Olympics has incorporated health programming and trained people to use their skills to provide free health screenings for athletes in more than 135 countries.
Athletes

Opening a Door to the World from Special Olympics Lesotho

Three athletes standing side by side for a group photo.
Before Special Olympics, he wouldn’t have dreamed of stepping up to a podium stage to celebrate winning a medal.
Our Words

How Can YOU Treat People Differently?

Paul Brooks speaking standing behind a podium at the Minnesota Champion of the Year Gala in November 2018
A testimony by Paul Brooks, a Best Buddies Global Ambassador, an employee at the Bellagio Resorts and Casino through the Best Buddies Jobs program, and a Best Buddies Nevada Board Member.
Athletes

One Boy, One Village at a Time

Aaron in the early days of being tied up and Aaron soon after joining Special Olympics.
Witness Aaron Banda's journey from being chained to becoming a valued part of his family and community.
Press Releases

Tom Golisano Gifts $30 Million to Special Olympics to Expand Critical Health Services Globally for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Ann Costello and Tom Golisano watch an athlete receive an eye exam.
Special Olympics announced today that it has received its largest single private gift in the organization's 53-year history.
50 Game Changers

Rosas Law

Rosa standing in front of a brick pillar with the word You are Beautiful written above her. She is looking up and smiling for the photo.
In 2010, President Barack Obama signed “Rosa’s Law” which changed “mental retardation” to “intellectual disability” in US federal law. Inspired by nine year-old Rosa Marcellino, the law was a key component in the groundswell of advocacy efforts promoting inclusive, people first-language for people with intellectual disabilities.
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