This month, we're celebrating leading the charge for respecting and celebrating all abilities. Join the joyful revolution: sign the Inclusion Pledge!
We'll be back on the ropes on September 17th at Dulles Airport for a full Dulles Day Festival and Plane Pull.
We hosted our largest event this past weekend. Take a look back.
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Stay in TouchGet the latest updates from Special Olympics Virginia sent right to your inbox!About UsSpecial Olympics is a movement built on inclusion, where every person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability. We are helping make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place through the power of sport.
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Our Mission
The Special Olympics mission remains as vital today as it did when the movement was founded 50 years ago in 1968. We provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This gives 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. -
Meet Our Team
Our Richmond headquarters houses the majority of our staff, as well as our administrative functions. Seven regional offices located across the state are dedicated to supporting Special Olympics Virginia programs and volunteers within their community: Richmond, Lynchburg, Northern Virginia, Harrisonburg, Virginia Beach, Fredericksburg, Newport News, and Blacksburg. -
Our Sponsors
Active across the state, reaching more than 30,000 athletes and volunteers, Special Olympics is a movement that changes lives. The secret that many community leaders, CEOs and local celebrities who lend their support to Special Olympics know is that by helping to raise awareness and funds for the movement, they benefit, too. -
Law Enforcement Torch Run
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Virginia unites officers from law enforcement agencies and corrections departments across the state to raise more than a million dollars annually. Each summer, law enforcement officials carry the Flame of Hope across the state culminating with the Torch Run Final Leg and the lighting of the cauldron to officially open our Summer Games in Richmond.
Special Olympics Virginia organizes and runs year-round athletic training and nearly 2,000 competitions each year for athletes of all ages at no cost to our participants. Whether your interest is competitive or social in nature, we want you on our team.
Volunteers are the backbone of the Special Olympics movement. They bring out the champion in every Special Olympics athlete.
Our coaches work closely with athletes and Unified partners to provide top-notch athletic instruction and serve as leaders, mentors, and role models. -
Our Mission
Special Olympics Virginia is made up of 32 Area programs, organized into nine regions. Connect with your local program to get involved.
Make a Difference
Please donate and help us get one more athlete onto the playing field.
In the News
In every corner of the state, Special Olympics Virginia is changing lives.
Special Olympics has been named the No. 4 Most Trusted Nonprofit in the Most Trusted Brands of 2022 report by decision intelligence company Morning Consult, after St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Make-A-Wish and the American Heart Association, respectively.
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Did you miss our Facebook Live Lunch and Learn event with TowneBank and ABLEnow?
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The Virginia Special Olympics Summer Games returned to the University of Richmond last month, after being cancelled for the past two years due to the pandemic. Both athletes and volunteers were thrilled to participate in the event, which hosted over 1,000 Special Olympics athletes competing in softball, track & field, bowling, tennis, and swimming.
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Our Reach
22,982
Athletes
2,500
Competitions
12,012
Volunteers
82
Athlete Leaders
5,247
Youth Leaders
527
Unified Schools
Sponsors
Special Thanks to our Legend Sponsors
- 103.7 Play
- ABLEnow
- Hardee's
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- Classic Rock 96.5
- GEICO
- Sports 106.1
- K95
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Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Virginia
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Virginia unites officers from law enforcement agencies and corrections departments across the state to raise more than a million dollars annually. Each summer, law enforcement officials carry the Flame of Hope across the state culminating with the Torch Run Final Leg and the lighting of the cauldron to officially open our Summer Games in Richmond. - Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
- savers
- Sheetz
- 100.9 Jack FM
- 106.9 The FOX
- FM99
- United Airlines
- University of Richmond
- Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police
- Virginia Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators
- Virginia Department of Corrections
- Virginia Association of Regional Jails
- Virginia Sheriff's Assocation
- Knights of Columbus Virginia State Council
- Virginia Tourism Corporation
- Wawa
- WTKR News 3