A Global Movement with Local Impact

Special Olympics Isle of Man is part of a global movement started by Eunice Kennedy Shriver (sister of President John F Kennedy).

Mrs Shriver believed that people with an intellectual disability were far more capable and deserving then people thought. So, in June 1962, she invited 35 children with an intellectual disability into her own backyard. Known as Camp Shriver, the day camp gave the children a chance to explore their capabilities through sport.

By 1968, Camp Shriver had developed into an international competition.

Today, Special Olympics Inc serves over 2.25 million athletes in 169 countries. Every year over 30,000 competitions are held throughout the world with athletes able to compete in 26 Olympic-type sports. That makes this not-for-profit organisation the world's largest provider of sports training and competition for people with an intellectual disability.

Special Olympics is no longer just an event, it is a worldwide movement where one can act locally, but make a global statement of acceptance and inclusion for all.