Shop our unique t-shirt collection now designed by Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners
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.
Remembering Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones wasn’t just a music industry legend; he was a true leader in spreading the message of inclusion! His dedication to the A Very Special Christmas (AVCS) albums is unmatched, helping bring people together through the power of music.1 Min Read
EsmeeAnne Becomes First Special Olympics Athlete from Europe to Complete a 70.3 IRONMAN
On 1 September 2024, Special Olympics Netherlands athlete EsmeeAnne de Meulmeester ran, swam and cycled her heart out to complete a half IRONMAN in Duisburg, Germany.3 Min Read
A Journey of Inclusion and Connection
As part of the Special Olympics Unified Youth Exchange program, which is funded under Department of State’s International Programming Initiative (ISPI), they participated in a two-way exchange between Special Olympics Jamaica and Special Olympics D.C..3 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
How Special Olympics is Powering Inclusive Sport with the Help of Sport Partnerships Around the World
A new report from Special Olympics reveals how a surge in new sport partnerships is helping to power the spread of global inclusion.4 Min Read
How Special Olympics Kickstarted the Push for Better Disability Data
The following is an excerpt from STAT News’ article, “How Special Olympics kickstarted the push for better disability data,” on Special Olympics’ continuous work to better healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities.1 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
4,238,388
ATHLETES and UNIFIED PARTNERS
53,779
COMPETITIONS
777,670
VOLUNTEERS
366,978
COACHES
72,468
ATHLETE HEALTH SCREENINGS
20,160
Unified Schools
Featured Partners
Supporting Special Olympics throughout the world
