What are the Special Olympics?

Special Olympics Great Britain is part of the world's largest programme of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with learning disabilities.  It currently serves over 8,000 athletes who participate in local sports programmes, then regional, national and international competitions. The National Games are held every 2 years alternating between summer and winter games and then World Games every 4 years. 

Our aims

A Special Olympics City of York Committee has been formed to:

• provide quality sports training 48 weeks in each year
• encourage fitness, commitment and discipline through sport
• provide as many Special Olympics athletes with the opportunity to participate, train and compete in as wide a variety of sports and events as possible
• 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 rather than have an emphasis on winning
• promote the inclusion of people with a learning disability in mainstream sport

Our hope

We hope that York athletes will compete at the National Games in Leicester in 2009 and then at the International Games in Athens in 2011.

Please help us

We are aiming to raise at least £5,000 in the first year to support the City's athletes to take part in 5 initial sports; Tennis, Football, Athletics, Boccia and Swimming.  We then hope to extend the programme in accordance with the wishes of the athletes.

Special Olympics York wins the Gold Award in the Norwich Union Community Sports Fund

Absolutely fantastic news! Special Olympics York has been successful in winning the national Gold award! We are pleased to announce that we have now won the prize for £50,000 funding.

We would like to thank everybody who voted for our initiative and the Norwich Union Community Sports Fund themselves. Further information can be found on the Norwich Union's Join Our Team website.

Volunteering

Volunteers are often needed at our events and to help fundraise. Any spare time given would be very much appreciated.  Please contact Liz Topi on 01904 554253 if you are able to help.