New research from Special Olympics has shown how the numbers of partnerships with sports bodies and federations across the movement grew by more than ten per cent in 2023 to a record-high of 1,225. This covers all types of sports partnerships at the national, regional and international level.
Special Olympics currently enjoys partnerships with 1,160 national, 47 regional and 18 international sport federations globally.
In recent years, Special Olympics has made it a strategic priority to work more closely with sport federations to demonstrate the unique ability of sports to serve as a vehicle for social inclusion for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Sport partnerships also help to expand and enhance sporting and competition opportunities available to athletes across the range of 30 plus Olympic style sports offered by Special Olympics.
Special Olympics has four million athletes with intellectual disabilities and Unified partners who play sports and compete annually. They are supported by one million coaches and volunteers. 46,000 events and competitions are staged each year around the world.
Special Olympics’ Senior Manager of Sport Development and Sport Partnerships, Maggie Brennan, shared how critical the role of sports partnerships is to the continued development of Special Olympics.
"Our collaborations with Sport Federations at the international, regional, and national levels are crucial in delivering exceptional training experiences for our athletes. These partnerships help us to ensure that athletes benefit from excellent coaching, necessary equipment, and high-quality competitions. In return, we assist Federations in making their sports more inclusive, allowing everyone, regardless of ability level, to enjoy the benefits of sport participation.”
Embedding inclusivity in sport at the grassroots level means that inclusive environments can be created and carried through to youth, adult and professional levels of sport, which is key in creating safe, inclusive sport for all individuals.
Special Olympics Nippon (Japan) is one such national program to recognize the importance of sport partnerships.
Takehisa Wada, Sports Operations & Community Development Manager for Special Olympics Nippon, explained how a range of partnerships with national sporting bodies in Japan is helping to fuel the growth of inclusive sports.
“Collaborations with partners have enabled us to provide top-notch equipment, facilities, and financial support. This has allowed us to expand our sports offerings and create more inclusive coach training environments. Some of these partnerships help provide state-of-the-art sports equipment for our athletes, empowering them to reach new heights in their respective sports.”
Japan’s Federation for Sport and Dance has helped to transform Special Olympics Nippon’s Competitive Cheer program, according to Takehisa. With support provided in key development areas covering instructor coaching, judging, advanced operational knowledge, and high-level competition venues, the federation has been instrumental in enabling Special Olympics Nippon to reach and engage more new athletes in the sport. Today the joint project is supporting 120 cheerleaders.
Also, this year, Special Olympics Nippon introduced Unified Floorball to their 2024 National Winter Games for the first time. Takehisa credits the success and competitiveness of the sport to the Japanese Floorball Federation who provided referees and sport officials, helping to elevate the running of competition to the highest professional levels.
“Sports partnerships foster a sense of unity and shared purpose within the community. By working together, we can break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and promote inclusivity. When people from different backgrounds come together to support Special Olympics, it creates a ripple effect of positive change, inspiring others to join the movement.
“By working closely with local governments, community organizations, and schools, we have been able to identify and reach athletes in underserved areas. These partnerships have resulted in the establishment of new Special Olympics programs, making sports accessible to a wider range of individuals with intellectual disabilities,” Takehisa added.
Some current partners of Special Olympics include Badminton World Federation (BWF), International Basketball Federation (FIBA), Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), International Floorball Association (IFF), Topgolf, International Hockey Federation (FIH), International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB).
To see a full list of sport partners and federations click here.
Special Olympics has 57 National Olympic Committee partnerships, 30 National Paralympic Committee partnerships and 97 Sport Ministry partnerships which all help to amplify the goal and work to make sport inclusive.