About Special Olympics Seminole County
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Our Mission
The Mission of Special Olympics Florida is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic type sports
for persons eight years of age and older with intellectual disabilities, giving them the 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 Florida athletes, and the community.
History
The concept of Special Olympics began in the early 1960s when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp in her own backyard
for people with intellectual disabilities. In 1968, Mrs. Shriver organized the first International Special Olympics Games in Chicago. In
1972, Special Olympics Florida was established. Today, Special Olympics Inc. is the world's largest provider of fitness training,
education and athletic competition - coupled with social, life, and leadership skill development opportunities - for children and adults
with intellectual disabilities or a similar developmental disability. With over 30,000 competitions around the world, with training taking
place every day, with family leaders, athlete leaders and volunteers extending our message every day, Special Olympics is no
longer just an event. We are a movement, inviting the world not just to attend Games but to think, feel, and act differently about
everything. Come help create a world of acceptance and inclusion for all.
Objective
Through successful sports training and competition, Special Olympics athletes develop physically, socially, and physiologically. The
positive experiences the athletes have and ongoing Special Olympics programs builds confidence and self image, which carries
over into all aspects of their lives.
Training
Special Olympics Seminole County is founded on the philosophy that quality training is crucial to success in sports. Comprehensive
year-round training and competition is available to every athlete, conducted by talented volunteer coaches. Training programs
have been developed and implemented to improve athletes overall physical fitness and sports specific competence.
Games
Special Olympics Seminole County offers ongoing training and a series of sports competitions held at each organizational level
culminating in State Games. The State Games feature Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the lighting of the Special Olympics
"Flame of Hope," awards ceremonies and a variety of social activities that are modeled after the Olympic Games. Over 20 county,
area, and state level games and tournament are held each year in communities throughout the state.
Funding
Special Olympics Seminole County (SOSC) is a non-for-profit organization that is funded primarily through individual and corporate
contributions, as well as yearly fundraisers.
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