SO, what is Special Olympics?

Special Olympics is a global not for profit organisation serving the nearly 200 million people with intellectual disabilities, with a presence in almost 200 countries worldwide. In the decades since Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics in the USA in 1968, Special Olympics has been supported by outstanding leaders in the fields of sports, education, business, government and disability advocacy.

Special Olympics is not just one single event. It is ongoing year-round training and competition for people with an intellectual disability. Every day around the world, Special Olympics athletes are training and competing at all levels, regional, state, national and International.

Volunteer Organisation

Special Olympics Australia is a volunteer driven organisation providing governance and support for the volunteers who deliver sports training, provide coaching, support athletes and stage regional and state competitions. Special Olympics play an integral role in the development of voluntary activity and volunteering in Australia. Special Olympics Australia is developing programs to recruit, train and reward our volunteers.   

Special Olympics and social inclusion

There is an acceptance of the philosophy of inclusion of disabled persons in our society. For the community at large the benefit of an active lifestyle and participating in sports is well known, but for a person with an intellectual disability the benefits are even greater. They are often socially isolated; establishing sustainable relationships is one of the many challenges facing their families and disability services. Special Olympics provides that connectivity.

Special Olympics Australia

Special Olympics International sets the mission for our organisation. However the vision of Special Olympics Australia has been tailored to provide a focus on the estimated 500,000 Australians with an intellectual disability. To Special Olympics Australia, sport is a means to enrich the lives of participants and with quality coaches, programs and facilities; sport is also an end in itself.

To achieve our vision Special Olympics Australia welcomes the broader community to contribute to the lives of people with an intellectual disability through sport.

Special Olympics Victoria

• Special Olympics began in Victoria in 1975
• There are conservatively 156,000 people in Victoria with an intellectual disability. Currently there are 680 participating athletes and 156 volunteers registered with Special Olympics.
• The office of Special Olympics Victoria was officially opened on the International Day of Disability, December 3 2008.
• Special Olympics Victoria has employed a State Manager, Business Development Manager and Community Development Officer to build the organisation in Victoria.
• Special Olympics Victoria's mission is to engage and welcome communities and individuals across Victoria who can expand and enhance the Special Olympics experience for existing and prospective athletes, and to increase athlete numbers and participation in broader geographic areas.
• In the short term plans are in place to create new regions in Melbourne's West and also in Gippsland.

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