What is Special Olympics?
Special Olympics is a not-for-profit organisation that provides sports training and competition for people with an intellectual disability.
The organisation was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in the United States. Today, Special Olympics supports more than 2.25 million people with an intellectual disability in 169 countries.
The values of the movement are defined as:
Vision
The Special Olympics movement will transform communities by inspiring people throughout the world to open their
minds, accept and include people with intellectual disabilities and thereby celebrate the similarities common to all people.
Mission
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..
Principles
Athlete centred, locally delivered, weekly participation, by volunteers, and supporters.