Created in 1968, Special Olympics is the world's largest sport program of year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. It provides year-round training for athletes of all ability level. Special Olympics currently serves more than 2.25 million persons with intellectual disabilities in more than 160 countries and conducts competitions at local, national and international levels.

All Abilities

Every person with intellectual disabilities is eligible to participate in Special Olympics, regardless of the level or degree of this person's disability. To participate in a competition, athletes must be at least eight years of age. For children with intellectual disabilities ages two through seven, Special Olympics offers a Young Athletes Program.

Year-Round Training

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports. Special Olympics activities take place at local level during weekly trainings, with events conducted at local, district and national level in a variety of sports.

Public Competitions

Competitions are held at a number of levels in Special Olympics (local, district, national, regional and international levels). All athletes are given opportunities to compete.

Divisioning

What sets Special Olympics apart from other sports organizations is that every athlete is given a fair chance to win. Each athlete is placed in a division (or competition group) with other athletes of similar ability (primary factor), age and gender. Preliminaries are run prior to the official competition to secure each athlete is placed in the equitable division.

Recognition of All Participants

Each athlete's participation and personal effort are recognized. Awards are presented in all divisions: participation ribbons from eighth to fourth place, bronze, silver and gold medals.

Random Selection for Higher Level Competition

In Special Olympics, athletes of all ability levels are given the opportunity to progress to higher level of competition (i.e. World Games). Athletes who win a medal in their division (bronze, silver or gold) at the lower level of competition are entitled to advance to a higher level of competition in the same sport. Athletes are selected to go will be selected randomly from within the pool of medalists of all divisions.

Sports as a Catalyst for Inclusion

Special Olympics aims at changing attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities. It allows them to participate as productive and respected members of society at large and gives them the opportunity to develop skills on and off the field of play. When not training or competing, athletes are provided meaningful opportunities to participate in additional activities (such as coach assistants, reporters, committee members, spokespersons, and committee or board members).

Special Olympics and Paralympics

Special Olympics and Paralympics are two separate organizations recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Special Olympics provides sports opportunities for individuals with mental handicaps of all ability levels. Paralympics provides opportunities for elite-level athletes with physical or mental handicaps.

Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics

The Torch Run is an actual running event in which officers and athletes run the "Flame of Hope" to the Opening Ceremonies Special Olympics competitions. The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics is the movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. Please visit their website: www.torchrun.eu