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Special Olympics is a sporting organisation that provides

year-round sports training and competition for children and

adults with an intellectual disability

WHO WE ARE

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The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic

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.

MISSION OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS

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1962 Eunice Kennedy-Shriver holds a backyard Camp for 35 girls & boys with intellectual disabilities

2007 2.25 million athletes globally competing in SO programs

1968 SO International Games in Chicago with 1,000 athletes in 3 sports

2007 SO World Summer Games in China with 7,500 athletes in 23 sports

HISTORY

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Special Olympics and Paralympics are two separate organisations recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Athletes with an intellectual disability who compete in the Paralympic movement are represented by the International Sports Federation for Persons with an Intellectual Disability (INAS-FID). In Australia this INAS-FID group operates under the AUSRAPID banner.

Special Olympics is the only organisation allowed by the International Olympic Committee to use the word "Olympics".

SO & the Olympic Movement

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Special Olympics is only for people with an intellectual disability. The Paralympics is mainly for athletes with physical disabilities.

Special Olympics welcomes all participants regardless of their skill level. The Paralympics is for elite athletes only.

Special Olympics provides year-round training and competition and gives athletes the chance to compete at local, regional, state, national and international competition. The Paralympics holds one international competition every four years.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS is NOT the same as the PARALYMPICS

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To participate in Special Olympics athletes must be at least 8 years old and identified as having one of the following conditions:

- intellectual disability - cognitive delays as measured by assessment - significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay.

SO, ELIGIBILITY

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Special Olympics ….

a sports organisation

SO, A SPORTS ORGANISATION

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Internationally 30 Sports- 23 summer & 7 winter sports

Australia 14 Sports- 12 summer & 2 winter - recognised and popular- developing pathways for future

sports, i.e. winter sports

SO, SPORT

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By genderBy ageBy ability - Ability based on pre-competition information - On-site preliminary events - Fastest & slowest time within a division recommended at 10% - Age & gender may be combined if this achieves closer matching of ability

SO, GRADING OR DIVISIONING

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All abilitiesEqual opportunityEligibility to advance to next level competition

- Registered athletes- Participated in previous level of

competition- Participated in training program

conducted by qualified coach and at a necessary level

of frequency to prepare athlete for

competition

SO, ATHLETE ADVANCEMENT

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- Same progression as for generic sports- Inter-regional competitions- Annual State Games- Junior National Games (under 16yrs)

- Invitational Asia-Pacific Games- National Games (open age) 4-yr cycle

- World Summer Games & World Winter Games 4-yr cycle

SO, COMPETITION PATHWAYS

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In 1986 - 8 athletes represented SO Australia in 2 sports (athletics & aquatics) in Louisiana, USA

In 2007 - 127 athletes represented SO Australia in 11 sports in Shanghai, China

SO, PROGRESSION

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Let me win.But if I cannot win,let me be braveIn the attempt.- SO Athletes Oath

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Not all about Sport

• Athlete Leadership Program• Healthy Athlete Program• Opportunities to be on Committee’s• Global Ambassadors • Improved physical fitness and sports skills • Enhanced self-confidence and social

competency • Greater readiness for employment • Better preparation for independent living • Increased ability to make personal decisions • Improved friendships and family relations

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Started in 1976 (NSW, VIC, TAS)In 2009reaching close to 4,500 registered athletes with an intellectual disability

- 47 regions across Australia- 14 recognised sports

In Victoria - State Committee

- 13 regions – 7 metro & 6 country regions; - Sports include: Aquatics, Athletics,

Basketball, Bocce, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Sailing, Softball, Tennis &

Tenpin Bowling

Special Olympics in Australia

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www.specialolympicsvic.org.au

www.specialolympics.com.au

www.specialolympics.org

WEBSITES

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• Tanya Files

• Community Development Co –Ordinator

• S9 27 Bank st Boxhill

tanyaf@specialolympics.com.au

• 9275-6922 or 0420 946 538

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Photos