Athlete in the Family The University of Massachusetts Boston is soon to complete a U.S.-based study entitled Athlete in the Family, which has found that Special Olympics serves as an agent of promise for athletes with intellectual disabilities and their families. This study involved interviews with 120 parents of youth and young adult athletes (as well as 49 athletes themselves) in Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, and Utah. Here is a preview of findings: Special Olympics provides opportunities for athletes to form true friendships; over two-thirds of parents commented on the social benefits that their sons and daughters derived from participation in Special Olympics. Special Olympics provides opportunities for parents to witness their children's capabilities and to feel pride in their children's accomplishments. Over two-thirds of parents reported that Special Olympics had influenced their expectations for their sons and daughters. As one parent said, "When you realize all their potential and abilities within Special Olympics, you realize they can succeed in [other] things." Families of athletes view Special Olympics as an engine of connection within and between families. Half (52%) said that Special Olympics had positively impacted the amount of time that they spent together as a family and the types of activities they shared. Almost three-quarters (73%) believed that Special Olympics had impacted their social relationships outside the family, providing them with opportunities to meet and socialize with other families. Special Olympics may have a significant impact on sibling relationships; over half of siblings reported being involved in SO in some other way beyond attending competitions and over 75% felt that SO had had a positive impact on their families and their relationships with their brothers and sisters.