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EnglishWhat Is Special Olympics and How Can You Get Involved?
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Special Olympics is a global sports movement that provides year-round training and athletic competition in Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. You can get involved as an athlete, Unified partner, coach, volunteer, or donor. The right entry point depends on whether you want to compete, support athletes directly, or contribute financially.
Who Special Olympics Serves
Special Olympics serves children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The movement extends beyond athletes to include Unified partners (people without intellectual disabilities who train and compete alongside athletes), coaches, volunteers, families, and youth leaders.
According to the organization, it supports over 5 million athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and volunteers.
Sports and Competition
Special Olympics offers 32 Olympic-type sports with year-round training and competition. Events take place daily around the world, and the impact extends both on and off the playing field.
Competition pathways range from local and regional events to world-level tournaments. For example, the Unified Football World Cup in Paris brought together 324 footballers, with Special Olympics Libya winning the men's title and Special Olympics Guatemala defending its women's crown in 2026.
Programs Beyond Sports
Special Olympics runs several programs that address inclusion beyond athletic competition:
| Program | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sports | Year-round training and competition in 32 Olympic-type sports |
| Inclusive Health | Improves the health and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities |
| Youth & Schools | Empowers youth leaders, educators, coaches, and families to build inclusive schools and communities |
| Inclusive Leadership | Develops leadership potential in people of all abilities |
Athletes are central to the organization's leadership. For example, Loretta Claiborne was named Special Olympics Advisor to CEO, reflecting the principle that athlete voices guide the movement.
How to Get Involved
As an athlete or Unified partner
If you or someone you know has an intellectual disability, you can join as an athlete. Unified partners—people without intellectual disabilities—train and compete alongside athletes in Unified sports.
As a coach or volunteer
Coaches and volunteers support training, events, and local programs. The organization describes volunteers as part of the more than 5 million people involved worldwide.
As a donor
The donation page offers preset amounts of $25, $50, $100, $500, and $1,000, plus an "Other" option. The stated purpose is direct: "Please donate and help us get one more athlete onto the playing field." Donations support getting athletes into training and competition.
As a school or youth leader
Through Youth & Schools, educators, coaches, and families can access programs designed to build inclusive schools and communities.
What Impact Looks Like
Special Olympics publishes stories of impact from around the world. Recent examples include:
- Special Olympics Pilipinas equipping more than 500 education leaders to advance inclusive sports across the Philippines.
- The Unified with Refugees initiative offering refugee children with intellectual disabilities a pathway from exclusion to belonging.
- The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
These examples show that involvement can take many forms—competing, coaching, teaching, donating, or advocating.
Choosing Your Path
- Want to compete? Look for athlete or Unified partner registration through your local Special Olympics program.
- Want to give time? Volunteer as a coach or event supporter.
- Want to give money? Use the donation amounts on the website or enter a custom amount.
- Work in a school or youth organization? Explore the Youth & Schools resources.
The common thread: every role—athlete, partner, coach, volunteer, or donor—feeds into the same goal of expanding inclusion through sport.