Tony Snell sits down with Inclusion Revolution Radio hosts Novie Craven and Josh Basile to discuss how his son's Autism diagnosis led to his own discovery of Autism.
Special Olympics World Games champion shares her story of determination as she competes in multiple sports.
Dionte Foster has been cancer free for five years and is back playing tennis with a prosthetic leg after a Healthy Athletes screening flagged a life-threatening disease.
Through Special Olympics’ partnership with Topgolf, the sport of golf has become more inclusive as it drives even more athletes to compete in the game.
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Special Olympics in your Region
Special Olympics is a global movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, regardless of ability or disability. 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!-
Africa Region
Special Olympics has more than 30 accredited programs in Africa addressing the needs of people with intellectual disabilities in the areas of sports, health and education. Special Olympics is also working to address the correlation between disability and poverty, a key issue for the continent. -
Asia Pacific Region
With more than 1.7 million athletes in 34 countries, Special Olympics programs in the Asia Pacific region are expanding rapidly. Across the region, our goal is promoting respect, inclusion and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities through sports. -
East Asia Region
Special Olympics works closely with its six accredited programs in East Asia to offer summer and winter sports for more than 1.2 million athletes with intellectual disabilities. East Asia has also hosted two World Games competitions: the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China, and the 2013 World Winter Games in PyeongChang, Korea. -
Europe/Eurasia Region
Special Olympics in Europe and Eurasia encompasses a diverse range of cultures, languages and customs. From Iceland to Israel, from Portugal to Siberia, Russia, Special Olympics athletes and supporters are dedicated to promoting respect, inclusion and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities through sports. -
Latin America Region
Special Olympics in Latin America is dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. -
Middle East/North Africa Region
Since 1999, Special Olympics' work has been expanding rapidly in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA). Special Olympics MENA holds a successful track record of Regional Games since 1999, award-winning World Games in 2019, the first-ever Pan African Games 2020, Unified Sports, and local and regional competitions that build inclusion, truly led by the athletes. Beyond sport, year-round activities of Special Olympics MENA activate siblings, youth, health practitioners in all fields, families, young athletes, volunteers, supporters, change agents, and people from all walks of life to create regional impact that drives the global movement of inclusion. -
North America Region
North America has over half a million athletes participating in all 32 sports offered by Special Olympics. It is home to athletes from Canada, the Caribbean and the United States. Special Olympics is dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition.
Stay In Touch
See inspiring stories, photos and videos in our Special Olympics monthly newsletter.
Watch Live: Education Experts Call for Greater Commitment to Inclusion in Education
Experts from the Brookings Institution, Special Olympics International and the Global Partnership for Education will explore how policymakers can overcome current obstacles to make schools and communities more inclusive for learners with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).1 Min Read
Special Olympics Alaska’s Emily Tymick Named SONA Sports Person of the Year, Credits Longtime Love for Competition
Emily Tymick first got involved with Special Olympics as a volunteer and was hooked quickly, turning it into a career. More than a decade later, she was recognized by her peers as the SONA Sports Person of the Year.4 Min Read
Athlete Leader James Steps Up to Run First London Marathon
Special Olympics Derbyshire athlete, coach and Athlete Leadership Team member James Wyatt is stepping out in search of another huge challenge by tackling the TCS London Marathon.3 Min Read -
Africa Region
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
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.
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 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
Special Olympics Takes Centre Stage at SportAccord
Special Olympics was out in force this week at one of the global sports industry’s biggest gatherings of the year—SportAccord. Held in the city of Birmingham in the United Kingdom from 7 – 11 April, the SportAccord summit brings together the leading International Federations and global organizations involved in the business of sport.2 Min Read
Special Olympics Athletes Break Barriers in the Western Balkans
Special Olympics athletes from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and hosts North Macedonia showcased heart, determination and remarkable skill at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-supported Western Balkans Swimming Competition held in Skopje from 5-7 April.1 Min Read
Sport as a Catalyst for Inclusive Education: The Role of Special Olympics
As the world celebrates the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on 6 April, it's a moment to truly grasp the profound impact that sports have in uplifting those often sidelined within their communities and nations.3 Min Read
New Sport Partnership Driving Special Olympics Golfers to the Game
The following is an article published by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) on the growth and development of Special Olympics golfers and the sport of golf through Special Olympics’ partnership with Topgolf:3 Min Read
Our 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
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Supporting Special Olympics throughout the world
