Special Olypmics
A Chance to Compete
4th Annual Golf Outing at Red Hawk Run - Saturday May 17th, 2008 download the flyer HERE for more information. If you are interested in sponsoring a hole or making a donation, download the donation flyer HERE
A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS goes out to Cara Kinn and our Unified Softball Team for taking 1st place in the State Softball Tournament on Saturday. They played 2 very awesome games, against Pickaway Co & Medina Co. and came home winners! We had 9 partners and 11 athletes playing on our team this year.
CONGRATULATIONS goes out to our Unified Golf team who competed at the State Golf tournament in Cincinnati.
Coach Bob Soellner and his partner Rodney Brown took 2nd place in Division 1, Linda Kohler & Jeff Spitzer – 3rd place in Division 3, and to Danny Hottinger & Terry Bolets – 4th place in Division 3.
Again, congratulations to all for jobs well done.
Mission ...The mission of Special Olympics Ohio is to provide year-round sports training and competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Benefits ...Special Olympics contributes to the physical, social, and psychological development of the athletes. Through successful experiences in sports, they gain confidence and build a positive self-image which carries over into the classroom, home, job and community.
History ...The concept of Special Olympics began in the early 1960's when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The first national meet was held at Soldier Field in Chicago in 1968 for 1,000 athletes from the United States and Canada . Shortly thereafter, Ohio began a Special Olympics program under the name of the Ohio Athletic Association. Special Olympics Ohio became incorporated in 1975. Today, there are Special Olympics programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 150 different countries around the world.
Participants ...Special Olympics Ohio has approximately 200 local member organizations and over 18,000 athletes who are in training and competition. These organizations originate from County Boards of MR/DD, public schools, developmental centers, parks and recreation departments, churches and parent and community groups.
Eligibility ...Athletes must be at least eight years of age and identified by an agency or professional as having one of the following conditions: intellectual disability, cognitive delays as measured by formal assessment or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay that require or have required special instruction.
Support ...Special Olympics Ohio, Inc. is a non-profit corporation funded through private and corporate donations and fundraising projects across the state. Special Olympics Ohio is not a United Way agency and does not receive any federal funds.
Volunteers ...This organization is run almost entirely by volunteers. Over 11,000 individuals donate their time to provide the sports training and competition opportunities across the state.
Competitions ...Special Olympics provides year-round competition opportunities for the athletes at the local, area and state levels. There are approximately 75 local and area events and Special Olympics Ohio hosts eight state-wide competitions each year. For a calendar of state competitions click here. In addition, every 2 years Special Olympics Ohio sends a team of athletes to compete in the World Games which alternate between winter and summer sports.