Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
T h e M i s s i o n 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.
Special Olympics Through the Years
June 1963 June 1981 July 1988
Eunice Kennedy Shriver begins a summer day The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Special Olympics Unified Sports® is launched
camp at her home in Maryland for children Olympics is launched in Wichita, Kansas, at the annual Special Olympics Conference
with intellectual disabilities to realize their USA, after Police Chief Richard LaMunyon in Reno, Nevada, and Lake Tahoe, California.
capabilities in sports and physical activities. saw an urgent need to raise awareness for Athletes with and without intellectual disabilities
Special Olympics. The Torch Run is now the compete side-by-side in bowling, volleyball
50,000 to 500,000 by 2005. Ireland hosts the first Special Olympics World
Summer Games held outside the United States.
With 5,500 athletes participating, it is Ireland’s
largest sporting event of the year, capturing the
hearts and imaginations of an entire nation.
December 2005 August 2009 September 2010
Special Olympics surpasses its goal of doubling The Movement mourns the loss of founder The first Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day is held
the number of athletes worldwide to 2.5 million Eunice Kennedy Shriver who died surrounded in countries around the world to celebrate the
participants. With sports at the core, the by her family in Massachusetts. Letters and vision of the founder of Special Olympics
Movement stands as a leader in advancing rights
messages celebrating her contribution to and to accelerate the momentum of the Special
and opportunities for its athletes in 165 countries.
humanity pour in from world leaders and Olympics Movement.
everyday people around the world.
June 2006 December 2010
In celebration of the 85th birthday of founder
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, President George
November 2009 Movement leaders release the Special Olympics
“A Very Special Christmas 7” is released, infusing Strategic Plan 2011-2015, a visionary document
W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush host a
the holiday record series with the energy and that will guide the Movement’s growth over the
tribute dinner at the White House to honor
talent of a new generation of music stars. next five years.
Special Olympics.
Who We Are throughout the world to open their minds to human giftedness and to accept,
Special Olympics is one of the world’s include and value people with intellectual disabilities in all aspects of life.
3
Our Values
S POR T S MAN S HIP WITH JOY
We believe in the transformative power of sports.
We embrace the purity of sports at all levels as
we witness incredible personal athletic triumphs
that shatter stereotypes.
UNIT Y
We are united in our commitment to inclusion,
respect and dignity. We build communities of
acceptance: loving families, inspired employees,
coaches, volunteers and fans. We are one
Movement, across nearly every community
and country.
BR AV ERY
We live our athlete oath: “Let me win. But if I
cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
PER S E V ER ANCE
We are capable, tenacious, and resilient.
We don’t give up on ourselves or each other.
With millions of friends, family members, coaches and fans driving the
5
“Eunice Kennedy Shriver is a pioneer who literally changed the way
persons with intellectual disabilities are treated and viewed, not
only in the United States, but in Africa and around the world.”
—Nelson Mandela, President, South Africa
An estimated 200 million people worldwide have intellectual disabilities.
marginalized or ignored, and are more likely to be victims of violence and abuse
7
“If I can train for 15 weeks for a marathon, I can do just about anything.”
—Billy Quick, Special Olympics athlete
Special Olympics provides millions of athletes with intellectual disabilities in
Advancing more than 170 countries the opportunity to experience the power of sport.
Sports are understood and celebrated by all people, regardless of race,
nationality, gender, economic level or religion.
For All Aquatics, Artistic Gymnastics, Athletics (Track & Field), Badminton,
Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Cycling, Equestrian, Football (Soccer),
Golf, Handball, Judo, Powerlifting, Rhythmic Gymnastics,
The universal power of sports Roller Skating, Sailing, Softball, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball
is at the heart of Special Olympics
OFFICIAL WINTER S POR T S
Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Floor Hockey,
Short Track Speed Skating, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing
R ECOGNIZED S POR T S
Cricket, Floorball, Kayaking, Netball
9
“I firmly believe that the [2003 World] Games have left an indelible mark,
not just on those of us involved, but also on the country as a whole.
I am certain they will lead to great developments in the future.”
—Brian Crowley, Member of the European Parliament
Advancing Sports Excellence For All
YOUNG ATHLE TES ™ WOR LD G A MES
The Special Olympics Young Athletes™ initiative introduces young Every two years, the world transcends the boundaries of geography,
children with intellectual disabilities ages two through seven to the nationality, political philosophy, culture and religion to come together
world of Special Olympics by engaging them in active play. Teachers for the Special Olympics World Games. Alternating between Summer
and relatives of participating children report gains in children’s social and Winter Games, these are flagship events for the Special Olympics
and motor skills, adaptive behavior (self care, community, self-sufficiency, Movement. Featuring more than a week of grueling yet inspiring
etc.), communication and cognitive development. international competition among thousands of athletes, the World Games
are viewed by millions across six continents and more than a half-
million spectators including world leaders, celebrities and dignitaries.
S PECIAL OLY MPIC S UNIFIED S POR T S ®
Unified Sports® places individuals with intellectual disabilities (athletes) Special Olympics World Games have triggered positive changes in the
and individuals without intellectual disabilities (partners) side-by-side on treatment and perceptions of people with intellectual disabilities. For
competitive sports teams. As the fastest growing sports initiative within example, the Irish government rewrote its antidiscrimination statutes
Special Olympics, Unified Sports has been shown to raise the self-esteem after the 2003 World Summer Games were held in Dublin. And as a
of all participating athletes—with and without intellectual disabilities. direct result of winning the rights to host the 2007 World Summer
Games, Shanghai began operating a network of “Sunshine Homes”
that provide vocational training for people with intellectual disabilities.
REGIONAL , NATIONAL AND LOCAL GAMES
Special Olympics competitions are played on courts, in fields and inside Whether a country plays host to individual sporting events, State or
gymnasiums more than 136 times a day, 365 days a year, in nearly every National, Regional or World Games, each competition gives the athletes
country in the world. These competitions vary in size from single sports involved a chance to share their spirit and skills with the community.
championships hosted by local Programs, to larger Provincial, State,
National and Regional Games.
11
“Because of Special Olympics, I feel my son has every opportunity to improve
as a person. Special Olympics has widened the horizon for him and has given
me a broader outlook as a mother of a child with intellectual disabilities.”
—Dr. Emma Dira-Mendoza, mother of Special Olympics Philippines athlete Ritchie Mikhail
Through the training and competitions, Special Olympics becomes a
Building vehicle for bringing people together. The Special Olympics Movement
Special Olympics creates communities together to change attitudes and support athletes. When
of support everywhere it goes communities around the world
support Special Olympics, it can
add up to monumental changes.
13
“Every time I come away from a Healthy Athletes event, I am pumped up
and ready to change the world. Healthy Athletes helps athletes achieve
great things they never thought possible—on and off the playing field.”
—Dr. Matthew Holder, MD, MBA, Executive Director of the American Academy of
Developmental Medicine and Dentistry and Healthy Athletes Global Medical Advisor
Building Communities
PR O J ECT UNIF Y ® FA MILY ENGAGEMENT AND LE ADER S HIP
Young people are among the most open-minded audiences for social change. Special Olympics provides a positive venue for families to become part
Using sports as its platform, Project UNIFY® is a dynamic collaboration of a caring community, and to become involved in the Movement. Family
between Special Olympics and school communities that engages young members recruit new athletes, coach teams, transport athletes, raise funds,
people with and without intellectual disabilities to promote attitudes and officiate games, chaperone events and train other volunteers. They also play
behaviors of acceptance and inclusion in schools. Project UNIFY builds and the important role of leading Family Support Networks and hosting Family
strengthens partnerships between local Special Olympics Programs and Forums to support families who are new to the organization. In addition,
participating schools to create “Project UNIFY Schools.” Through Project increasingly families are speaking out in the community to raise awareness of
UNIFY, young people with and without intellectual disabilities are truly the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
integrated, playing side-by-side on sports teams and coming together
to discuss topics such as reversing negative stereotypes.
RES E AR CH AND POLICY
Special Olympics is the leader in cutting-edge research and evaluation to
HE ALTH Y ATHLE TES ®
better understand the many challenges faced by people with intellectual
Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® is the world’s largest public health disabilities and the significant impact of Special Olympics on their lives.
program for people with intellectual disabilities—a population that faces This independent research is also a driving force for realizing improved
dramatically greater health issues than others, yet frequently receives policies, laws and rights for people with intellectual disabilities around the
inadequate care or no care at all. At Healthy Athletes events, volunteer world. Our health database is the largest in existence that focuses specifically
healthcare professionals provide athletes with free screenings and services on people with intellectual disabilities and the information is used for critical
in seven clinical areas. Active in more than 100 countries, the program research into the healthcare needs of this population and informing policy.
conducts nearly 200,000 screenings every year, gives referrals for follow-up
care and provides tens of thousands of health-related products like Special Olympics experts and consultants speak at international, regional,
prescription eyewear and hearing aids. and local levels all over the world to advise policy makers, testify in hearings,
and present scientific and educational materials documenting the needs
By training more than 16,000 healthcare professionals and students of people with intellectual disability. This work has resulted in signed
annually on the specific needs of people with intellectual disabilities, the Memoranda of Understanding with national governments, brought about
impact of Healthy Athletes extends far beyond the athletes seen at events. improvements in national healthcare policy and secured local government
These volunteers return to their schools and medical practices with the funding for health programs.
knowledge, experience, and desire to better treat people with intellectual
disabilities and become forceful advocates for meeting their needs.
15
“Because of Special Olympics, I am someone. I am a different person.
I have a new focus. When I go back to my country, people see me
as a great person. Special Olympics has done this.”
—Florence Nabayinda, Special Olympics Athlete and Former Board Member, Uganda
Perceptions and attitudes matter. That’s why Special Olympics is the
Changing world’s leading voice in elevating awareness of the needs and abilities of
people with intellectual disabilities. Sports are at the heart of the Special
Attitudes Olympics experience, but our ultimate goal is to use stories of athletes’
Challenging mindsets achievements, skills and challenges to change attitudes. Those who witness
and smashing stereotypes the accomplishments of athletes cannot help but think differently about
17
“Passing a ball across a court or running down a field
side-by-side teaches tolerance and acceptance in
a way that is rarely achieved inside a classroom.”
—K. Riordan, Special Olympics Unified Team Coach
Changing Attitudes
“SPREAD THE WORD GE T INTO IT ®
TO END THE WORD ® ” CAMPAIGN To educate, motivate, and activate all youth to be agents of change,
®
The “Spread the Word to End the Word ” Campaign is a grassroots effort schools in more than 75 countries around the world use the Special
to get people around the world, including the entertainment industry, to stop Olympics Get Into It® curriculum. Get Into It is a K-12 service-learning
using the “R-word” (“retard” and comparable words in different cultures). curriculum designed to promote acceptance and understanding of
The campaign targets students through school events and social networking, people’s differences, motivating them to become advocates for and
inviting them to sign an online pledge and spread the word on their together with all people. Get Into It has been translated into 23 languages
campuses. To date, nearly 250,000 people have taken the online pledge and has reached more than 4.5 million students in general education
while millions around the world have signed petitions, displayed banners classrooms. The full curriculum, as well as a variety of interactive
and taken oaths to stop hurtful language and banish prejudices. web-based components are available for free online.
http://r-word.org/ https://getintoit.specialolympics.org
http://specialolympics.org/athlete_leadership.aspx
19
“A rewarding life is full of challenge, so do not pity me. Give me a chance!”
—Thomas Gatu, Special Olympics Kenya Athlete
Our Supporters
LE ADING THE CHARGE TO A BE T TER COMMUNIT Y SUPPORTERS
WORLD FOR ALL PEOPLE Special Olympics has deep relationships in the communities where it works.
The values for which Special Olympics stands are universal, cutting One of our most cherished partnerships is with 85,000 members of the law
across all sectors of society in all cultures. That is how Special Olympics enforcement community who participate in grassroots fundraising and
has attracted a diverse community of fans, including political leaders, awareness events called the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special
celebrities, Fortune 500 executives, civic leaders, professional athletes, Olympics, which raises nearly $40 million annually for the Movement.
teachers, law enforcement officers and a legion of committed volunteers. “A Very Special Christmas,” a partnership with the recording industry,
has raised nearly $100 million for the Movement and helped to launch
Special Olympics Programs in countries such as Russia, Kenya, and China.
COR POR ATE S UPPOR TER S Another important partnership is with the Lions Clubs International
Corporate partners are essential in helping Special Olympics fulfill its Foundation, which has raised $10 million to provide prescription eyewear
mission. Through their generous contributions of cash, in-kind donations to more than 200,000 athletes around the world.
of products and services, volunteers and awareness, we are able to
share the power of sport with the world. Our corporate team works
with companies of all sizes with a solid history and strong brand image, INDIVIDUAL S UPPOR TER S
including The Coca Cola Company, Procter & Gamble, Bank of America, Millions of people across the globe support Special Olympics through
Mattel, Hilton and Safeway among others. donations, volunteerism and advocacy. Whether a monthly pledge
donor, a volunteer at a local competition, a teacher promoting tolerance
and acceptance in the classroom, or a campus volunteer recruiting
GOV ER NMENT S UPPOR TER S fellow students to end the derogatory use of the “R-word,” our individual
Special Olympics has excellent working relationships with governments supporters are critical members of the global Movement. They have taken
and governmental agencies around the world. For example, Special a stand for dignity and acceptance in an effort to create a better world for
Olympics is working with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability us all through promoting understanding and compassion.
to create more employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual
disabilities. In Europe, the European Union is supporting the development
of Special Olympics Programs across the 27 E.U. Member States.
21
As Special Olympics moves into its fi fth decade, we are gaining
Be a fan of Special Olympics relationships formed and in the examples set by the athletes,
CONTACT
Special Olympics www.specialolympics.org
1133 19th Street NW tweet@specialolympics
Washington, DC 20036 fb.com/specialolympics
+1-202-628-3630 youtube.com/specialolympicshq
info@specialolympics.org specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com
23
“...To say that the lot of people
with intellectual disabilities
has improved because of
Special Olympics would be a
gross understatement. This
movement did nothing
less than release an entire
population from a prison of
ignorance and misunderstanding.
It did something else too—
create a cathartic covenant
between competitor and fan
that is unlike anything else in
sport. You watch and what you
see is nothing less than a
transformation, the passage of
someone who has been labeled
unfortunate, handicapped,
disabled or challenged to
something else: athlete.”
—Sports Illustrated, December 2008
IMAGE CREDITS: Cover © Richard Corman; Mission © Special Olympics; Special Olympics Throughout the Years (all images)
© Special Olympics; Page 2 © Special Olympics; Page 4 © Special Olympics; Page 6 © Richard Corman; Page 8; © Special Olympics;
Page 10 © Special Olympics; Page 12 © Special Olympics; Page 14 © Special Olympics; Page 16 © Special Olympics; Page 18
© Special Olympics; Page 20 © Special Olympics; Page 22 © Special Olympics; Page 24 © Richard Corman; Back © Richard Corman.
Contact
Special Olympics info@specialolympics.org
1133 19th Street NW www.specialolympics.org
Washington, DC 20036 tweet@specialolympics
+1-202-628-3630 fb.com/specialolympics
o
Let me win. But if I cannot win,
let me be brave in the attempt.
Special Olympics athlete oath