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Special Olympics provides training in more than 30 Olympic-type sports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Athletes in each sport are grouped according to age, gender, and ability level to ensure equal opportunities and provide all participants with a fair and competitive experience. This classification system is designed to enable each athlete to compete within a division that matches their abilities.
Competitions in Special Olympics are based on the principle of “divisioning,” where athletes compete in groups with similar ability levels. This serves as the foundation of fair play across all sports, including athletics, aquatics, table tennis, football, skiing, and many others. The system ensures equal opportunities for all athletes and provides a fair competitive experience that builds self-confidence and encourages continuous development.
Special Olympics does not focus on breaking records; rather, it celebrates the achievement of every athlete. All participants are recognized within their respective divisions through gold, silver, and bronze medals, in addition to placement ribbons awarded from fourth through eighth place.
This sports model aims to build self-confidence, encourage performance, and celebrate athletes’ efforts, reflecting the spirit of participation and achievement among all athletes.