The Special Olympic World games have just taken place in Los Angeles, USA. Special Olympics is a global movement of people who want to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities, and was set up in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. This years games were attended by over 7,000 athletes from 177 countries including over 100 from Great Britain who competed in 25 Olympic type sports including:
Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cycling, Equestrian, Football, Gymnastics, Judo,Sailing, Table Tennis, Tennis and more…
Team GB did fantastically with a medal tally of 179 including 68 Gold, 69 Silver and 42 Bronze.
The Special Olympic movement in the UK provides sports training for people of all ages and abilities, this is the mission statement from their website:
At Special Olympics Great Britain, our mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual (learning disabilities), giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of skills, gifts and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Our Vision
To facilitate access to year round inclusive training and competition for all people in Great Britain with an intellectual disability through direct provision and partnerships.
Special Olympics aims to
- Provide quality sports training 48 weeks per year to encourage fitness, commitment and discipline through sport
- Provide as many Special Olympics athletes as possible, with the opportunity to participate, train and compete in a wide variety of sports and events
- Provide quality coaching
- Help athletes develop social skills and build friendships through the interaction and team spirit of their sports training and competition
- Provide athletes with the experience of new cultures when travelling abroad
- Encourage athletes to compete and participate for the fun of it, rather than focus on winning
- Promote the inclusion of people with an intellectual (learning) disability in mainstream sport
Special Olympics GB hold events all over the UK if you are interested their website is http://specialolympicsgb.org.uk/
Congratulations team GB from all at Rescare.
HF