About us
Special Olympics is a global 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.
Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programmes, more than 4 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 170 countries Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people's diverse gifts.
Founded in 1968 by the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realise their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship.
Special Olympics New Zealand is the national body that supports athletes throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. There are nearly 6000 registered athletes in New Zealand.
Special Olympics Te Whanganui-a-Tara Charitable Trust is the local club responsible for running training and competition in the Wellington City area. The club is affiliated to Special Olympics New Zealand. Approximately 100 local athletes are involved in a number of different sports.
The official Special Olympics Sport Rules govern all Special Olympics competitions at every level.
Special Olympics aims:
to provide training for 44-46 weeks in each year;
to encourage fitness and a healthy lifestyle;
to have quality coaching and competition programmes for all sports,
to enable as many athletes as possible to participate, train and compete in a wide variety of sports events;
to assist athletes to develop sports, social skills, build friendships and team spirit through their sports training and competition;
to promote and assist the inclusion of people with an intellectual disability in community events and activities.