Special Olympics

Special Olympics is a global movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability. We are helping to make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place—one athlete, one volunteer, one family member at a time.

The Special Olympics movement represents 3.9 million athletes in 227 national and state Programs operating in 177 countries and jurisdictions that hosts in 46,000 annual competitions. There are more than 5 competitions happening every hour across the globe!

Special Olympics unleashes the human spirit every day around the world through the transformative power and joy of sport. Through programming in sports, health, education and community building, Special Olympics is tackling the inactivity, stigma, isolation, and injustice that people with intellectual disabilities (ID) face. Our work goes far beyond sports events, driving social change that enables full social participation for people with ID.

Special Olympics approach is to deliver, high-quality training and competition in an inclusive culture through Unified Sports which allows for people with and without intellectual disabilities to play on the same field. We offer 30-plus Olympic-style individual and team sports that provide meaningful training and competition opportunities for athletes ranging in age from 2 to 99! Special Olympics teammates benefit in gaining quality sport experiences due to the rules set forth in Sport Rules Article 1. This premise for all Special Olympics sports is strengthened from partnerships with International Sport Federations, social inclusion opportunities through Unified Schools, as well as opportunities to develop basic skills at age 2 through Young Athletes.

Games & Competition
Major Special Olympics competitions are held around the world each year to bring together athletes contending to be the best in their sports. In 2019, the United Arab Emirates hosted the first World Games in the Middle East in Abu Dhabi. The next World Games will be in Berlin, Germany in 2023.

Games and competitions drive the Special Olympics movement forward. Every day, all around the world, athletes and coaches are training for their next competition.

INCLUSIVE HEALTH
Despite severe need and higher health risks, people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are often denied health services and die on average 16 years sooner than the general population.

Special Olympics Health, made possible by the Golisano Foundation, and in the United States in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is creating a world where people with intellectual disabilities have every opportunity to be healthy.

Inclusive health means people with ID are able to take full advantage of the same health programs and services available to people who do not have ID. Currently, people with ID face significant challenges in accessing quality health care and obtaining opportunities that promote fitness and wellness, resulting in pronounced health disparities and reduced life expectancy. Special Olympics’ health programming focuses on improving the physical and social-emotional well-being of people with ID by increasing inclusion in health care, wellness and health systems for Special Olympics athletes and others with ID. Learn how we are making a difference.

Become a Special Olympics Athlete
Athletes are the heart of Special Olympics. Our athletes are children and adults with intellectual disabilities from all around the world. They are finding success, joy and friendship as part of our global community. They’re also having lots of fun!

Become a Volunteer
Volunteers are the backbone of the Special Olympics movement. They are coaches, trainers, officials, event organizers, fundraisers and managers. They can also be unified partners—playing alongside athletes with intellectual disabilities—or fans cheering in the stands.

Become a Coach
Was there a mentor, teacher or coach who made a difference in your life? The one who gave you the courage and determination to strive to be your best? The one who helped shape both your performance and your character? You can be that important person in someone else’s life.

Become an Official
Special Olympics sports officials ensure adherence to the rules and safe competition, and are necessary to ensure the integrity of the sport. We encourage everyone officiating Special Olympics competitions to become certified in their sport and provide an opportunity for anyone interested, including Special Olympics athletes, to become a certified Special Olympics sport-specific official.

WAYS TO DONATE TO THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Every day we empower athletes to shatter stereotypes and exceed their personal bests on the playing field and in life. But for every Special Olympics champion, there is another who is waiting for a chance to win. Please donate and help us get one more athlete onto the playing field.

FIND OUT HOW TO DONATE: https://www.specialolympics.org/get-involved/donate

Contact Special Olympics:

Headquarters
Special Olympics
2600 Virginia Ave NW, 11th Floor
Washington, DC 20037 USA
+1 202-628-3630
+1 800-700-8585
+1 202-824-0200 (Fax)

Donor Services / Donor Communication Preferences
+1 800-380-3071
donorservices@specialolympics.org