|
Mission:
The Mission of Special Olympics South Dakota is to
provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children
(8 years and older) and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving 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.
Top
Benefits:
Special Olympics South
Dakota contributes to the physical, social and psychological development of
people with intellectual disabilities.
Through successful experiences in sports, they gain confidence and build
a positive self-image associated with success. This success carries over into
the classroom, the home and community.
Top
History:
The
concept of Special Olympics began in the early 1960s, when Eunice Kennedy
Shriver started a day camp for people with mental retardation. In 1968, Mrs.
Shriver organized the First International Special Olympics Games at Soldier
Field in Chicago. From Chicago, the
excitement spread to South Dakota, where in 1968 the 1st Annual
Special Olympics South Dakota Summer Games were held with 125 athletes
participating.
Top
Participants:
Today, more than 1600
children and adults with intellectual disabilities participate in Special Olympics South Dakotas year-round athletic
program. Any individual eight years of age or older
with intellectual disabilities is eligible to participate in Special
Olympics.
Top
The
Games:
A key feature of Special Olympics South Dakota is a
series of athletic competitions patterned after the World Olympics. Held
year-round, they are:
 |
State
Softball September |
 |
Area Bowling – October |
 |
State Traditional Bowling Tournament – November |
 |
State Unified
Bowling Tournament - November |
 |
Area
Basketball Tournaments - February |
 |
State Basketball Tournament – March |
 |
Area Spring Games – April |
 |
State Summer Games – May |
 |
Equestrian Competition – July |
In
addition to the athletic competition, each of the games include all of the
pageantry and excitement of Olympic Games, with events such as Opening and
Closing Ceremonies, Lighting the Special Olympics Flame of Hope, Victory Dances,
Banquets, and Award Ceremonies.
World
Games are held every two years on odd years with Winter Games and Summer Games
alternating. Competitors from the United States participate as part of Team USA.
National Games
are scheduled every four years on even numbered years. In 2006
they were held in Ames, Iowa. The next National Games will be
held in Lincoln, NE in 2010.
Top
Official
Sports:
|
Aquatics
|
Bowling
|
Softball
|
|
Athletics
|
Soccer
|
Volleyball
|
|
Basketball
|
Power lifting
|
Equestrian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top
Developmental
Sports:
|
Modified
Aquatics |
Modified
Athletics
|
|
|
Race
Walk |
Wheelchair
Athletics
|
|
|
|
|
Top
Policies:
Special
Olympics is unique in that it accommodates competitors at all ability levels by
assigning them to competition divisions based on previous performances or
preliminary heats. In this way, all athletes get a chance to compete against
others of equal ability.
Top
Training:
Special
Olympics South Dakota is founded on the belief that quality training is crucial
to success in sports. Therefore, year-round training schools instruct coaches
and officials in the most affective and safe training techniques to work with
special athletes. The athletes train with the qualified coaches for Special
Olympics competition, as well as for general over-all physical fitness.
Top
Assistance:
Assistance
and guidance for programs is available through the Special Olympics South Dakota
State Office in Sioux Falls.
Top
Volunteers:
Over
4000 volunteers provide the manpower of Special Olympics South Dakota. They come
from schools, colleges, service clubs, businesses, parent groups, youth
agencies, sports organizations and professional groups.
Top
Funding:
Special
Olympics South Dakota, Inc. is an independent non-profit organization which is
not part of the United Way, Federal or State Governments, all funding comes from
caring individuals, businesses, organizations and corporations.
Top
Help
Wanted:
Coaches,
chaperones, clerical workers, publicists, fund-raisers, entertainers, and sports
officials. These are just a few of the many volunteers jobs in Special
Olympics. Amateur or professional, young or old, Special Olympics need your
help!
Top
Last Updated:
03/05/2008 09:38:52 AM
|