The
Special Olympics oath is:
Let me win. But if I cannot
win, let me be brave in the attempt. Our
mission is...
to provide year-round sports
training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports
for individuals with mental retardation by 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. Our Philosophy.
The benefits...
of participation in Special
Olympics for people with mental retardation include improved physical
fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence, a more positive self-image,
friendships, and increased family support. Special Olympics athletes
carry the e benefits with them into their daily lives at home, in the
classroom, on the job, and in the community. Families who participate
become stronger as they learn a greater appreciation of their athlete's
talents. Community volunteers find out what good friends the athletes
can be. And everyone learns more about the capabilities of people with
mental retardation. Special Olympics believes that competition among
those of equal abilities is the best way to test its athletes' skills,
measure their progress, and inspire them to grow. Special Olympics believes
that its program of sports training and competition helps people with
mental retardation become physically fit and grow mentally, socially,
and spiritually. Special Olympics believes that consistent training
is required to develop sports skills. The Spirit of Special Olympics
skill, courage, sharing, and joy transcends boundaries of geography,
nationality, political philosophy, gender, age, race, or religion.
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 Mrs. Shriver started a day camp for people with mental
retardation. She saw that people with mental retardation were far more
capable in sports and physical activities than many experts thought.
Since 1968, millions of children and adults with mental retardation
have participated in Special Olympics.
In the United States...
Special Olympics Chapters are established in all 50 states,
the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.
About 25,000 communities in the United States have Special Olympics programs.
Through the Special Olympics Model School District programs, public school
districts include Special Olympics in their physical education curriculum
and provide extracurricular and interscholastic sports to elementary and
secondary students with mental retardation. The Special Olympics Mega-Cities
program coordinates Special Olympics training and competition in schools,
community recreation programs, group homes, and institutions in 11 large
metropolitan areas. Volunteer
Information
