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About Us

Special 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.
- 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.
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Become An Athlete

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.

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Become a Volunteer

Volunteers are the backbone of the Special Olympics movement. They bring out the champion in every Special Olympics athlete.

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Become a Coach

Our coaches work closely with athletes and Unified partners to provide top-notch athletic instruction and serve as leaders, mentors, and role models.