| Creating positive
and enduring change in the lives of people with
mental retardation, their families, friends,
coaches, volunteers and all who cheer them on. What is Special Olympics?
Special Olympics is an international organization
dedicated to empowering individuals with mental
retardation to become physically fit, productive
and respected members of society through sports
training and competition. Special Olympics offers
children and adults with mental retardation
year-round training and competition in 26
Olympic-type summer and winter sports.
What is the Special
Olympics Oath?
"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be
brave in the attempt."
What is Special
Olympics' mission?
To provide year-round sports training and
athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type
sports for individuals with mental retardation,
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.
What impact does Special
Olympics have on athletes?
Children and adults with mental retardation who
participate in Special Olympics develop improved
physical fitness and motor 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.
Who leads Special
Olympics?
Eunice Kennedy Shriver is Founder and Honorary
Chairman, Sargent Shriver is Chairman of the
Board and Timothy P. Shriver, Ph.D., is President
and CEO.
Who is eligible to
participate in Special Olympics?
To be eligible to participate in Special
Olympics, you must be at least eight years old
and identified by an agency or professional as
having one of the following conditions: mental
retardation, cognitive delays as measured by
formal assessment, or significant learning or
vocational problems due to cognitive delay that
require or have required specially designed
instruction. It does not cost anything to
participate.
Can individuals with
profound disabilities participate in Special
Olympics?
Yes, through Special Olympics Motor Activities
Training Program (MATP), developed by physical
educators, physical therapists and recreation
therapists. MATP emphasizes training and
participation rather than competition.
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