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 Welcome to Special Olympics Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people eight years of age and older with developmental disabilities. Our programs give our athletes continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skill, and friendship with their families, other athletes and the community. Special Olympics Nevada Special Olympics Nevada offers free sports training and competition opportunities every day, throughout the year in thirteen different sports. Paid staff operate in one office and oversee 12 local area programs that are run by volunteers. Special Olympics Nevada's office is based in Las Vegas. How We Started The concept for Special Olympics was born in the early 1960s when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for people with developmental disabilities at her home in Rockville, Maryland. The first International Special Olympics Games were held in 1968 at Soldier Field, Chicago with 1,000 athletes with developmental disabilities from 26 states and Canada. Mrs. Shriver's vision has grown into one of the largest and most successful sports and volunteer organizations in the world. There are Chapters in every state of America and in more than 140 countries worldwide serving more than one-million Special Olympics athletes. Who Gets To Play And Compete Athletes eight years old to eighty with developmental disabilities who have a slower rate of learning and a limited capacity to learn. This typically includes all individuals with mental retardation, combination deaf-blindness, autism, traumatic head injury, and most individuals with cerebral palsy and specific learning disabilities. Students in intensity levels III-VI are eligible regardless of their classification. Children ages five through seven begin training in preparation for their eighth birthdays when they begin organized competition. Programs We Offer SPORTS TRAINING AND COMPETITION Athletes can choose from 13 different sports that operate on a calendar year basis. Athletes train for eight weeks and participate in qualifying competitions at a local and regional level, culminating in three chapter competitions. UNIFIED SPORTS® Unified Sports® is a team experience that combines approximately equal numbers of athletes with and without mental developmental disabilities, of similar age and ability. Our Unified Sports® programs include Athletics, Basketball, and Golf . Unified Sports® broadens the scope of athletic competition for athletes and spectators. The program facilitates inclusion of Special Olympics athletes throughout the community. FOR ATHLETES WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) was created by physical therapists and adaptive PE teachers specifically for those athletes who have severe disabilities. MATP emphasizes training and participation rather than competition. FREE AND ALL YEAR LONG There are training and competition opportunities every day within Special Olympics Nevada, throughout the year. Our programs are free to all eligible athletes and are possible thanks to the generous support from individuals and businesses who believe in Special Olympics athletes. We are not a United Way agency and receive no federal funds. Financial support comes almost exclusively from individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations. back to top |
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