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About Special Olympics |
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Special Olympics is an international
organization dedicated to empowering individuals with
intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive
and respected members of society through sports training and
competition. Special Olympics offers children and adults with
intellectual disabilities year-round training and competition in
26 Olympic-type summer and winter sports at no cost to the
athletes.
Special Olympics began in 1968 when Eunice Kennedy Shriver
organized the First International Special Olympics Games at
Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, USA. The concept was born in
the early 1960s when Shriver started a day camp in her backyard
for people with intellectual disabilities. She saw that
individuals with intellectual disabilities were far more capable
than many experts thought. Since 1968, millions of children and
adults with intellectual disabilities have participated in
Special Olympics.
Today, nearly 2 million athletes in more than 150 countries
train daily and compete in over 20,000 events annually
showcasing their athletic abilities to the world. Children and
adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special
Olympics develop improved physical fitness and sports skills,
greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image. They
grow mentally, socially and spiritually and, through their
activities, exhibit boundless courage and enthusiasm, enjoy the
rewards of friendship and ultimately discover not only new
abilities and talents but "their voices" as well.
Special Olympics differs from other "Olympic-type" sports
organizations in that athletes are divided into competition
divisions based upon their ability, age and sex. Competition
divisions are structured so that athletes compete against other
athletes of similar ability in equitable divisions. A fair and
equitable division is one in which all participants, not just
elite athletes, have a reasonable chance to excel. This
definition also applies to team competition.
In addition to local, state/national and regional competition,
Special Olympics World Games are held every two years,
alternating between Summer Games and Winter Games. The 2003
Special Olympics World Summer Games were held in Dublin,
Ireland. The 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games were held
in Nagano, Japan and the 2007 World Summer Games will be held in
Shanghai, China. |
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