Mission

Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities (ID). Through sports, our athletes are seeing themselves for their abilities, not disabilities. Their world is opened with acceptance and understanding. They become confident and empowered by their accomplishments. They are also making new friends, as part of the most inclusive community on the planet -- a global community that is growing every day. Our 4.5 million Special Olympics athletes come from more than 170 countries. The goal of Special Olympics, which was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, is to reach out to the almost 200 million people in the world with ID to offer continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship.