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.

Apr 21, 2025 · The birthplace of the global Special Olympics movement, Special Olympics Illinois (SOILL) works to change lives through the power of joy and sport. We provide year-round training and competition for athletes of all ages, helping them be brave in the attempt of victory.

Special Olympics is a global sports movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability. We are helping to make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place—one athlete, one volunteer, one family member at a time.

Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Those activities give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.

Special Olympics Illinois hosts more than a dozen state tournaments each year, bringing athletes from across Illinois together to compete at the highest level. Athletes qualify by earning a top placement at their regional tournament, typically a gold or silver medal.

Special Olympics has partnered with the Chicago Park District since the first international Special Olympics Games in 1968. They now serve more than 5,000 athletes, with year-round sports training and competition in 18 sports, at 25 park locations throughout Chicago.

Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and activities to 5 million participants and Unified Sports partners in 172 countries. [2]

Special Olympics Illinois transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life.

Every two years, athletes, Unified partners, and coaches from all 52 Special Olympics US Programs come together to make up the Special Olympics USA delegation at Special Olympics World Games and Special Olympics World Winter Games.

Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Those activities give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.