Special Olympics: Games, Sports, and Events Guide

Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2 Aug 2026

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics

Synopsis

Learn about the Special Olympics, the global sports movement for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, including its history, sports, and games.

At a Glance

• 1 - The organization offers year-round training in more than 30 Olympic-type summer and winter sports.
• 2 - The first International Special Olympics Games were held in Chicago in 1968, drawing more than 1,000 athletes.
• 3 - In 1988, the Special Olympics received formal recognition from the International Olympic Committee.
• 4 - The World Games are staged every two years, alternating between Summer and Winter editions in host cities worldwide.

Topic Definition

Special Olympics

Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, offering year-round training and competition to millions of athletes across roughly 170 countries. Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968, it grew from a single Olympic-style event in Chicago into a global nonprofit movement built on the belief in dignity, equality, and opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities. The organization runs more than 70,000 competitions a year, from local and national meets to the flagship Special Olympics World Games, which alternate every two years between Summer and Winter editions. Beyond medals, Special Olympics is often the first place many participants find a chance to take part in their communities, build friendships, and develop confidence in themselves, and its work has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

Overview

The Special Olympics are the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 4.4 million athletes in 170 countries. Special Olympics competitions are held every day, all around the world including local, national and regional competitions, adding up to more than 70,000 events a year. Special Olympics is a global nonprofit organization serving the nearly 200 million people with intellectual disabilities. Among their other activities, Special Olympics conducts the Special Olympics World Games every two years, alternating between Summer and Winter Games.

The Special Olympics, founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968, is composed of passionate, committed individuals from every walk of life, who recognize the value and unique gifts of people with intellectual disabilities, who together, share the common belief of dignity, equality, and opportunity for all people.

More than 2.5 million athletes of all ages are involved in Special Olympics sports training and competition in more than 180 countries. The Special Olympics is often the only place where children and adults with intellectual disabilities have an opportunity to participate in their communities and develop belief in themselves.

The organization offers year-round training and competition in 30 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. There are more than 72 Programs in Special Olympics North America. Special Olympics North America has 544,581 athletes participating in all 30 sports offered by Special Olympics.

The first International Special Olympics Games were held in Chicago in 1968. Anne McGlone Burke, a physical education teacher with the Chicago Park District, began with the idea for a one-time Olympic-style athletic competition for people with special needs. Burke then approached Eunice Kennedy Shriver, head of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, to fund the event. Shriver encouraged Burke to expand on the idea, and the JPK Foundation provided a grant of $25,000. More than 1,000 athletes from across the United States and Canada participated.

The first International Special Olympics Winter Games were held in February 1977 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA. In 1988, the Special Olympics was recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Special Olympic Games Dates

• 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games: Boise, Idaho, USA.
• 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games: Athens, Greece.
• 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games: PyeongChang, South Korea.
• 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games: Los Angeles, USA.
• 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games: Graz and Schladming, Austria
• 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
• 2021 Special Olympics World Winter Games: Åre and Östersund, Jämtland County, Sweden.
• 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games: Berlin, Germany.
• 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games: Turin, Italy.
• 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games: Santiago, Chile.
• 2029 Special Olympics World Winter Games: Chur-Graubünden, Switzerland.

Special Olympics Great Britain (SOGB) is the major provider of sporting opportunities for people with a learning disability and provides equality of opportunity for all athletes regardless of ability or degree of disability. International Board members include President of Iceland Olafur Grimmson; Olympic Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci; pop singer and actress Vanessa Williams; Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent; and First Lady of Panama Vivian Fernandez de Torrijos.

Types of Special Olympics Sports:

Special Olympics has more than 32 Olympic-type individual and team sports that provide meaningful training and competition opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. A few are listed below:

Special Olympics Sports List

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Special Olympics and the Paralympics

Special Olympics serves people with intellectual disabilities of all ability levels through inclusive training and competition, while the Paralympics is an elite event for athletes with physical, visual, and intellectual impairments who qualify through performance.

Who can participate in the Special Olympics

Anyone with an intellectual disability who is at least eight years old can take part, and younger children can join early development programs, with a focus on inclusion rather than only elite ability.

Is there a cost to join the Special Olympics

Special Olympics programs are generally offered to athletes at no cost, supported by donations, sponsors, and volunteers, though availability can vary by local program and country.

How can I volunteer with the Special Olympics

People can volunteer as coaches, event helpers, officials, or supporters by contacting their local or national Special Olympics program, which lists current roles and training.

What is Unified Sports in the Special Olympics

Unified Sports brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team, promoting inclusion, friendship, and shared competition.

How are athletes grouped for competition

Special Olympics uses divisioning to group athletes of similar age, gender, and ability, so competitors face others at a comparable level and everyone has a fair chance.

How can someone sign up for the Special Olympics

Prospective athletes and families can register through their local or national Special Olympics program, which provides eligibility details, sports offered, and training schedules.

Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team.

Last updated: 2 Aug 2026