Mission
The mission of Special Olympics Rhode Island is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, 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.
All training and competition opportunities are provided free of charge to the athletes and their families, enabling everyone to experience the benefits of Special Olympics that extend well beyond the playing field. Special Olympics was created by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation. Special Olympics Rhode Island is authorized and accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. for the benefit of persons with intellectual disabilities.
History
Special Olympics began with the vision of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who believed people with intellectual disabilities deserved the same opportunities to learn, compete, and belong as everyone else. In the 1960s, she started a summer camp in her backyard, focusing on athletes' abilities rather than their limitations.
That vision led to the first International Special Olympics Games in 1968 at Soldier Field in Chicago, launching a movement that has transformed millions of lives through the power of sport.
Today, Special Olympics is a global movement serving more than 4.7 million athletes in 169 countries. Founded in 1972, Special Olympics Rhode Island is the state's largest sports organization for individuals with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round sports training, competition, health, leadership, and inclusion opportunities.
Together, we're building a more inclusive world - one athlete, one coach, and one community at a time.
