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| Facts & Highlights Quick Facts Special Olympics Inc. (SOI) Founded 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver and the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation. Currently 2.25 million athletes worldwide in 150 countries. Hold World Winter Games and World Summer Games on alternate two-year schedule. Expands Special Olympics movement worldwide. Quick Facts Special Olympics Washington (SOWA) Incorporated in Washington in 1975 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Federal tax identification: # 91-0962383. Governed by a 30+ member board of directors. Staffed by 20+ sports, business and administrative professionals. Over 7,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities. Over 8,000 volunteers support the organization statewide. Over 32,000 family members statewide. Vision is to help persons with intellectual disabilities be accepted and respected. Mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition. Persons with intellectual disabilities may participate in sports and other health and physical fitness programs. Individuals are eligible at age eight with no upper age limit. There is no fee to participate for athletes or their families. Athletes are provided a volunteer coach for training and competition. Athletes are organized into athletic divisions according to age, gender and ability. SOWA is organized into four regions - King County, Northwest, Southwest, and East Regions. Competition in each sport takes place at local, regional and state events. Four sports seasons are offered each year in 19 different Olympic-type sports. Unified Sports: Special Olympics athletes paired with non-Special Olympics athletes. Healthy Athletes: Athletes receive free dental, vision, feet and nutrition exams. Athlete Leadership: Athletes become board members, officials and public speakers. So Get Into It: A school-based curriculum promoting awareness and acceptance. Funding: Supported by individuals, corporations, foundations and civic groups. Athletes Persons with intellectual disabilities, regardless of ability level, may participate in sports and other programs offered by Special Olympics Washington. Individuals are eligible for training and competition at age eight. There is no upper age limit. More than 7,000 Special Olympics athletes compete in Special Olympics Washington programs at no fee to them or their families. Each athlete is provided a volunteer coach as an individual competitor or via a team sport. Athletes train for a period of time prior to competing at local, regional and state tournaments. Four sports seasons are offered each year in 19 different Olympic-type sports that are governed by official rules and regulations provided by Special Olympics Inc. Athletes are organized into athletic divisions according to age, gender and ability.
Regions SOWA is organized into four regions including the King County Region, the Northwest Region, the Southwest Region and the East Region. The Northwest Region includes Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties. The Southwest Region includes counties from Pierce County south to the state border, west to the Pacific Ocean and throughout the Olympic Peninsula. The East Region includes all counties east of the Cascade Mountains to the eastern, northern and southern state borders.
Training & Competition Competition in each sport takes place at local, regional and statewide events. Individuals and teams compete in divisions according to age, gender and ability. Year-round training, directed by qualified coaches, is the primary goal of Special Olympics. Prior to each sports season, volunteer coaches are trained and certified at clinics conducted by Special Olympics professionals and other sports experts. Officials and event committee teams also receive training. Sports & Seasons Winter Season & Winter Games - Alpine Skiing, Basketball, Cross Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Snowboarding Spring Season & Summer Games - Aquatics (Swimming), Athletics (Track & Field), Long Distance Running/Walking, Cycling, Power Lifting, Soccer Summer Season & Summer Sports Classic - Golf, Softball Fall Season - Bowling, Vollyball (recreational) Unified Sportsฎ In this innovative program, athletes with and without intellectual disabilities of similar age and ability, form teams for training and competition. By providing all athletes the opportunity to participate, Unified Sports develops specific athletic skills, builds confidence and self-esteem, and increases understanding of persons with different abilities. Healthy Athletes Special Olympics Healthy Athletes is a program designed to help athletes improve their health and fitness. This leads to an enhanced sport experience and improved well-being. Athletes can receive oral health screenings, eye exams, feet exams, and other healthcare screenings at no cost to the participant. Programs in other health specialties are being developed worldwide. Athlete Leadership Program Special Olympics Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs) allow athletes to explore opportunities for Special Olympics participation in roles previously considered non-traditional. Such participation might come in the form of serving on the Board of Directors or as a committee member; or an athlete acting as a spokesperson, team captain, coach or official. Participation in ALPs may be in addition to or in place of participation in traditional Special Olympics Programs. So Get Into It The So Get Into It program is a school-based curriculum that helps teachers and students promote awareness and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities. The program is available to school districts via Special Olympics Washington and Special Olympics, Inc. Volunteers Volunteers continue to be the source of support for SOWA athletes across the state of Washington. Over 8,500 people volunteer as a coach, sports official, chaperone, committee member, fundraising volunteer, and in many other areas. SOWA programs and services could not be provided without the support and commitment provided to the athletes by volunteers. For further information:
Funding SOWA is entirely supported by private contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations and civic groups. Although SOWA is not an official United Way agency, employees may designate SOWA as the beneficiary of workplace giving programs. For further information:
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