Events

The Special Olympics World Games are the flagship event of the movement. They bring together athletes with intellectual disabilities from all over the world for days of competition, friendship and celebration. Summer and Winter Games alternate every two years.

National programmes send their delegations. Athletes, coaches and support staff represent their country. Unified Sports also has its place, with teams in which people with and without intellectual disabilities compete side by side.

As in every Special Olympics competition, athletes are placed in groups of similar ability. That way, everyone has a real chance of winning. And every competitor is recognised, with medals for the top places and ribbons for the others.