Low Country
Special Olympics

Special Olympics is a year round program offering Olympic type sports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Through Special Olympics people with intellectual disabilities enjoy the opportunity to be treated as people, not just as disabled. Through sports our athletes gain self confidence, social competency, and other enhanced skills, both social and physical.

 
General FAQ Print

What is Special Olympics?

Special Olympics changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for more than 15,500 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in South Carolina, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people’s diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship.


What are the benefits of participation in Special Olympics?

  • Improve physical fitness, endurance, cardiovascular capacity and strength
  • Gain confidence, self esteem and discipline
  • Achieve greater acceptance among peers and the community at large
  • Develop friendships/relationships with people of many different backgrounds and abilities, both with and without disabilities.

Who can participate in Special Olympics?

Special Olympics is for any individual who is 8 years or older with an intellectual disability for competition. There is no maximum age! Athletes can start participating as early as the age of 2 (Young Athletes).


Can families be involved?

Absolutely! In fact Special Olympics encourages family participation at every level. Families can help with the training of their athlete by becoming a certified coach, help with planning of Special Olympics activities and competitions, can help chaperone athletes at state competitions, can help with fundraising activities, and can help with transportation to and from practices. It’s important to have family support and involvement to have a successful local program.


Does it cost anything to participate in Special Olympics?

No! Special Olympics does not charge any kind of fee for athletes to participate. Special Olympics depends on contributions from businesses and individuals to support its local programs. Special Olympics will ask for help with local fundraisers to help pay for the cost of competitions and training programs, but an athlete will never be asked to pay to participate.

 
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