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What is Special Olympics?

Special Olympics is an international year-round program of sports training and competition for individuals with an intellectual disability, eight years and older. The movement is recognised world-wide and has remained committed to high-quality training and high levels of sportsmanship.

This commitment has earned the organisation the right to use the word "Olympics” in its title – the only organisation, other than The Olympics movement itself, authorised and approved to do so by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Special Olympics is dedicated to empowering individuals with an intellectual disability to become physically fit, productive and respected members of the community through sports training and competition. Special Olympics serves more than 1.5 million children and adults in more than 160 countries.

Athletes in Australia

In Australia there are approximately 3000 athletes competing in nine national sports with a focus on participation and achieving their personal best. Athletes are trained and can compete at a local, state, national and international level.

The minimum age requirement for participation in Special Olympics competition is eight years of age. An accredited program may permit children who are at least six years old to participate in age-appropriate training programs, or in specific cultural or social activities offered during the course of a Special Olympics event.

Special Olympics and Paralympics

Special Olympics is often confused with the Paralympics, an event which runs parallel to the Olympic Games. Special Olympics is a program that focuses on year round sports and training for all people with an intellectual disability, whereas Paralympics caters for athletes with intellectual or physical disabilities that are elite in their sport. In addition, Special Olympics runs training and competition event all year round.

Ability levels for athletes

Unique to Special Olympics is a grading (divisioning) system, which provides an opportunity for all athletes of any ability level to compete in an appropriate age and ability division. Special Olympics Australia offers nine (9) sports, with progression through the programs being much the same as generic sport, from Regional to State, National and International levels. The only difference is that due to a grading system, this organisation offers an opportunity for athletes of any ability to compete at any level - the focus is not on elitism. The rules for each sport follow the generic sports, but Special Olympics also implements modified rules relative to the level of ability of the individual.

Special Olympics Mission Statement

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for persons eight years and older with an intellectual disability, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

In Special Olympics we celebrate ability, dedication, accomplishment, teamwork and community involvement. Winning in Special Olympics is not just about "higher, faster, and stronger." Rather, it is about achieving one's personal best. The power of the Special Olympics human spirit is best summed up in the athletes' oath:

"Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

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