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General Information
History Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver and the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation, Special Olympics formed to improve the lives of the intellectually disabled. That year, 1,000 athletes from 26 states and Canada competed in an Olympic type competition at Soldier Field in Chicago. During a time when the mentally retarded were most often confined to institutions, the organization of Special Olympics began a movement to change the world’s view about intellectually disabled people. The Special Olympics movement has grown to over 1.7 million athletes worldwide in 150 countries. Special Olympics Inc. holds the World Winter Games and World Summer Games on an alternate two- year schedule. Special Olympics Washington (SOWA) incorporated in 1975 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (federal tax identification # 91-0962383) following several years of program presentation by local community volunteer groups. A board of directors that provides guidance to SOWA staff and volunteers governs the organization. Vision & Mission The vision of Special Olympics is to help bring all persons with intellectual disabilities into the larger society under conditions whereby they are accepted, respected and given the chance to become useful and productive citizens. The mission of Special Olympics Washington is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Washington provides athletes 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 Olympic athletes, and the community. |
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