Sports are a powerful tool. They provide growth in self-esteem, social skills, physical fitness and leadership. But most importantly, sports give people the chance to be included and build relationships and friendships that last a lifetime. With sports as the driving force, Special Olympics Minnesota has been leading the charge on making Minnesota more inclusive for people with intellectual disabilities.
Our mission is to create a new world of inclusion and acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities. We do this by providing year-round sports training and athletic competitions, inclusive healthcare programs, leadership and advocacy training, and inclusive school programs.
Vision
We envision a Minnesota where every person, regardless of their ability, has every opportunity to thrive and reach their fullest potential.
What Special Olympics Minnesota isn’t
Myth: Special Olympics is one event that happens every four years.
Truth: Special Olympics is a movement happening 365 days a year. We host 100 different events every year that range from sports competitions to inclusive health fairs to the Polar Plunge and more!
Myth: Special Olympics is just for children with intellectual disabilities.
Truth: Special Olympics is for everyone. Our programs are available for all ages and all abilities. This inclusive movement is made up of many roles: volunteers, coaches, team assistants, athletes, Unified partners and more! Learn more about the role that’s right for you.
Myth: Special Olympics only focuses on sports.
Truth: While sports are at the core of Special Olympics Minnesota’s mission, we also provide health & wellness, leadership, and school programs that focus on community inclusion.
Myth: Special Olympics events are not competitive.
Truth: Special Olympics events are competitive and athletes train and compete in sports to showcase their skills, abilities, and determination. We foster an environment of fair competition, allowing athletes to challenge themselves and strive for personal bests. Athletes earn awards for placing in 1st-8th place.
2023 achievements
Looking ahead
As we step into 2024, we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. Our mission to provide sports, health, education and community programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities remains steadfast. In the coming year, we are more committed than ever to our mission and are eager to bring about positive change in the lives of our athletes. We will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, breaking down barriers and fostering a more inclusive society. We are committed to making our 51st year even more remarkable than our 50th.
As we look forward to hosting the Special Olympics USA Games in 2026, an event that will bring 100,000 people to Minnesota, our primary goal is to continue growing our mission and impact. To do this, we must expand our coaching network. More coaches mean more opportunities for athletes to develop their skills, build meaningful relationships and experience the joy of sports. We invite you to consider becoming a coach or encouraging others to join our coaching community. Our volunteer coaches are essential to the success of our athletes.
Together, we can look forward to a brighter, more inclusive future.