Special Olympics is an international movement which, through year-round sports training and competition in the Olympic tradition, gives people with intellectual disability the chance to strengthen their character, develop their physical skills, display their talents and fulfill their human potential.
Special Olympics Delaware (SODE) is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization that serves as the motivational framework within which sports training and competition opportunities take place for those individuals eligible for the program who reside in Delaware.
SODE offers athletes an opportunity to participate in 16 sports - aquatics, athletics (track & field), alpine skiing, basketball, bocce, bowling, cross-country skiing, cycling, golf, powerlifting, long distance running, roller skating, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.
There is no cost to join Special Olympics. All uniforms, equipment and competition costs are covered by SODE. Most training is offered at no cost to the athlete; however, some sports, such as bowling, require specialized training facilities and may require some type of fee due to facility expense. Many local programs conduct fundraisers to ofset these costs.
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children eight years of age and older and adults with intellectual disability (or other significant learning or vocational problems), 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.
