Your monthly support gives more athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID) the chance to get off the sidelines, go for the gold, and find community and friendship.
Our anthem amplifies every student’s unique voice.
Inclusion Matters: Your Action Needed Today!
When you join our global sports movement, you become a change-maker who champions the acceptance of all people through the power of sport. With 46,000 sporting competitions a year in 177 countries and jurisdictions, and life-changing programming in education, health, and leadership, your help is urgently needed! We are actively recruiting athletes, unified partners, coaches, donors, and volunteers. Click on the map below to learn more about our work in each region of the world, and to connect with your local Special Olympics Program today.
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In every corner of the earth, Special Olympics is changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. These stories come from all around the world- CHEERS FOR CHAMPIONS!
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50 Game Changers
ESPN and Special Olympics have teamed up on a year-long storytelling initiative telling the stories of game changers and game changing moments toward inclusion. Check back each week for a new story of inclusion. - Pledge to Include
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Stories of Inclusion
Special Olympics and over 5 Million of our athletes are leading the charge for full inclusion of people with Intellectual Disabilities (ID). The movement is rooted in the spirit of our founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who took a rebellious stand against the injustices faced by people with Intellectual Disabilities in 1968. Today, the fight for inclusion is more relevant than ever. People of all ages, races, genders, cultures, backgrounds, and abilities continue to face discrimination, ignorance, and disparagement. Just as Eunice Kennedy Shriver did 50 years ago, Special Olympics is setting a stake in the ground to create change and, this time, our athletes are leading the way.
Stay In Touch
See inspiring stories, photos and videos in our Special Olympics monthly newsletter.
Special Olympics France’s Fanélie Croizat Carries Olympic Torch for Paris 2024
Earlier this year as France ramped up to host the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Fanélie was asked to carry the Olympic Torch in the city of Lyon, France near her hometown of Saint-Chamond.3 Min Read
How Far Will You Go for Inclusion?
Dedicated Kenyan Athletes and Coaches Traverse Long Distances Just to Attend Weekly Trainings2 Min Read
A Father's Encouragement and a Son's Determination
Mohammed bin Abul Aziz was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder four years ago.2 Min Read
Get Involved
Special Olympics offers many ways to take part. There are short-term and long-term volunteer opportunities, the option of playing Unified Sports and to become a Special Olympics athlete.
Make a Difference
Please donate and help us get one more athlete onto the playing field.
OUR ORGANIZATION
About Us
Through the power of sports, people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities, skills and success. Our athletes inspire people in their communities and elsewhere to open their hearts to a wider world of human talents and potential.-
Mission
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. -
History
From a backyard summer camp for people with intellectual disabilities to a global sports movement, Special Olympics has been changing lives and attitudes since 1968. -
Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of Special Olympics, was a pioneer in the worldwide struggle for rights and acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities. -
Leadership Teams
Special Olympics is led by a senior management team with broad corporate and nonprofit experience. Seven regional offices around the world are headed up by managing directors who support the ongoing growth and development of programs in their regions. In addition, Special Olympics has a Global Athlete Leadership Council which features an Athlete Leader from each of the seven regions and provides feedback, guidance, and ideas to the Special Olympics International Board of Directors and Leadership Team. -
About Intellectual Disabilities
Children and adults with intellectual disabilities inspire us every day at Special Olympics events around the world. But what are intellectual disabilities?
Share your story of Inclusion
Our revolution starts with you. Upload your video, photos and story to add your voice to the unified generation.
#unifiedgeneration
Advancing Inclusive Education in Kosovo with Unified Sports Opportunities
Special Olympics Global Leadership Coalition for Inclusion welcomes Kosovo at signing ceremony in Pristina2 Min Read
What is Intellectual Disability?
Intellectual disability (ID) is a term used to describe a person with certain limitations in cognitive functioning and other skills, including communication and self-care.3 Min Read
5 Benefits of Inclusive Education
How Students With and Without Intellectual Disabilities Can Thrive in a Socially Inclusive Learning Environment1 Min Read
Why the R-Word Is the R-Slur
Practice Inclusion: End the Use of the R-Word The research shows that when social media users are posting about people with intellectual disabilities, 7 in every 10 of those posts are negative, and 6 in 10 contain a slur.2 Min Read-
Mission
Our Global Reach
3,914,758
ATHLETES and UNIFIED PARTNERS
46,028
COMPETITIONS
672,114
VOLUNTEERS
330,898
COACHES
41,666
ATHLETE HEALTH SCREENINGS
18,350
Unified Schools
Featured Partners
Supporting Special Olympics throughout the world
