Mission:
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Benefits:
Special Olympics contributes to the physical, social, and psychological development of the athletes. Through successful experiences in sports, they gain confidence and build a positive self-image which carries over into the classroom, home, job and community.

History:
The concept of Special Olympics began in the early 1960's when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The first national meet was held at Soldier Field in Chicago in 1968 for 1,000 athletes from the United States and Canada. Shortly thereafter, Ohio began a Special Olympics program under the name of the Ohio Athletic Association. Special Olympics Ohio became incorporated in 1975. Today, there are Special Olympics programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 150 different countries around the world.

Special Olympics - Ohio:
Has approximately 200 local member organizations and over 23,000 athletes who are in training and competition. These organizations originate from County Boards of DD, public schools, developmental centers, parks and recreation departments, churches and active parent and community groups.

Area 6:
Gahanna Special Olympics is part of Ohio Area 6, which includes Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union Counties.

Gahanna Special Olympics:
Supports approximately 60 local families and athletes who participate in training and competition.

Eligibility:
Athletes must be at least eight years of age and identified by an agency or professional as having one of the following conditions: intellectual disability, cognitive delays as measured by formal assessment or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay that require or have required special instruction.

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Funding:
Special Olympics Ohio Gahanna. is a non-profit organization funded through private and corporate donations and fundraising projects in central Ohio.

Volunteers:
Gahanna Special Olympics is run entirely by volunteers. Over 50 individuals donate their time to provide the sports training and competition opportunities provided to our athletes.

Competitions:
Special Olympics provides year-round opportunities for area athletes to participate in local, area and state level competitions. There are approximately 10 local events, 75 Area 6 events and 7 state-wide competitions hosted by Special Olympics Ohio each year. For a calendar of state competitions click here. In addition, every 2 years Special Olympics Ohio sends a team of athletes to compete in the National Games which alternate between winter and summer sports.