About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world. Through programming in sports, health, education and community building, Special Olympics is changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities solving the global injustice, isolation, intolerance and inactivity they face.
Mission Statement
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them 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 Olympics athletes and the community.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, inspired by her sister Rosemary, founded Camp Shriver in 1962 for children with intellectual disabilities, promoting inclusion through sports. This camp evolved into the first Special Olympics International Games in 1968 in Chicago, marking the beginning of an organization dedicated to continued inclusion.
And Chile hasn’t been left out of this story! This year marks 10 years since this institution was refounded in 2012. For a decade, the foundation has promoted inclusion and the values of equity, justice, and solidarity, adapting even to challenges like the pandemic, and today it continues to work tirelessly to provide opportunities for thousands of people with intellectual disabilities in Chile.