As the largest amateur sports organization in the world, Special Olympics has established relationships with many of the leading sports organizations, as well as other nonprofit organizations.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC)
In February 1988, the IOC, the umbrella organization of the Olympic movement, officially recognized Special Olympics and agreed to cooperate with Special Olympics as a representative of the interests of athletes with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics is the only organization authorized by the IOC to use the word "Olympics" worldwide.
National Olympic Committees
Within the United States, Special Olympics has been designated by the United States Olympic Committee as the National Governing Body/Disabled Sports Organization for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics also maintains active relationships with the National Olympic Committees of other nations.
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Special Olympics Beijing athlete Zhou Yue (right) give a few bowling pointers to Britta Heidemann, who won the silver medal in the épée (fencing) competition with her teammates, Claudia Bokel and Imke Duplitzer at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Heidemann is just one of many Olympic athletes from around the world who support Special Olympics. [Photo by Vidura Bahadur] |
International Sports Federations and National Sports Governing Bodies
International Sports Federations are recognized by the IOC as the world governing bodies for their respective sports. National Sports Governing Bodies govern and oversee particular sports within their respective countries. All Games held by Special Olympics Programs must comply with the sports rules issued by the National Sports Governing Bodies in their respective countries except where those rules conflict with the Special Olympics Sports Rules (which then take precedence). Links to International Sports Federations and National Sports Governing Bodies are provided on the individual sports pages in the Sports Offered section of this Web site.
World Olympians Association (WOA)
In April 2002, Special Olympics and WOA agreed to work closely together to provide opportunities for Olympians to become more involved with Special Olympics athletes, Programs and events. WOA was created by International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch in 1994 to encourage and assist the approximately 100,000 Olympians around the world to be active participants in the Olympic movement beyond their Olympic competition. The initiative with Special Olympics is designed to provide Olympians with opportunities to be role models for Special Olympics athletes while increasing awareness of their many skills and achievements.
• Learn more about how Olympic athletes from around the world have supported Special Olympics and its athletes.
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Special Olympics is a Founding Sports Partner of the Sports Museum of America. Along with more than 50 other leading sports organizations, including single-sport Halls of Fames, Museums, National Governing Bodies and other sports organizations across North America, Special Olympics is represented at the museum with a display of memorabilia and artifacts. The Sports Museum of America is located at 26 Broadway in New York City.
Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation
The Kennedy Foundation is a private foundation that shares Special Olympics' goal of providing people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. The Foundation provided critical funding necessary for the establishment of Special Olympics. Although the Foundation no longer provides funding to Special Olympics, it continues to provide technical assistance, guidance and professional consultation, as well as other forms of support and assistance in expanding the Special Olympics movement.
The United Nations
Special Olympics is a registered non-governmental organization (NGO) of the United Nations. As an NGO, Special Olympics has the responsibility of working with nations throughout the world to help develop sports training and competition programs for persons with intellectual disabilities.
