• Special Olympics is a year-round international program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Virginia is the state program of Special Olympics Incorporated.

Mission

To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Goal

To help bring all persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities into the larger society under conditions whereby they are accepted, respected and given the chance to become useful and productive citizens.

TRAINING FOR LIFE

For our athletes, the training never stops and the benefits last a lifetime. A 1995 Yale University study proved it: Special Olympics athletes do better at school, at work and at home than their peers not involved in our year-round sports program.

We like to call it "Training for Life" - providing persons with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to become physically fit, develop cooperation and social skills, and increase their self-esteem, all while competing in an Olympic-type sports program.

Sports participation for our athletes is truly "Training for Life," and Special Olympics Virginia gives everyone a chance to keep that spirit alive. To find out how you can get involved with Special Olympics Virginia, please call 1-800-932-GOLD or email us at info@specialolympicsva.org.