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.

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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.

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History:

The concept of Special Olympics began in the early 1960’s, 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 1^st Annual Special Olympics South Dakota Summer Games were held with 125 athletes participating.

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Participants:

Today, more than 1600 children and adults with intellectual disabilities  participate in Special Olympics South Dakota’s year-round athletic program.  Any individual eight years of age or older with intellectual disabilities is eligible to participate in Special Olympics.

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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:

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.

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Official Sports:

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Developmental Sports:

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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.

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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.

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Assistance:

Assistance and guidance for programs is available through the Special Olympics South Dakota State Office in Sioux Falls.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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Last Updated:
03/05/2008 09:38:52 AM