Special Olympics Virginia’s mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for persons with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
But Special Olympics is about more than just sports. Through sports, we show others the capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities so they can be more included in society. When people interact with our athletes, they learn to start with what's possible, instead of what isn't.
While we're building more inclusive communities, we’re also building healthier ones. It is well documented that people with intellectual disabilities are less active that those without; this is not because of their disability, but the lack of access to opportunities that fit their needs. Special Olympics fills that gap.