Special Olympics Tennessee

Mission To provide year-round sports training, competition, and health and leadership opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy, all while participating in a supportive community. Vision A world where people with intellectual disabilities are fully included in all aspects of society, respected, accepted, and valued for their talents and contributions. History Special Olympics began in 1962 as a backyard camp started by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who believed people with intellectual disabilities deserved more opportunities. Inspired by her sister Rosemary, Shriver created a space for sports, play, and inclusion, a movement that grew into the world’s largest amateur sports organization. Since the first International Games in 1968, Special Olympics has expanded to over 172 countries, promoting inclusion worldwide. Supported by Vanderbilt University, Special Olympics began in Tennessee in 1973.

With a vision of a world where people of all abilities are valued and included, SOTN offers 16 Olympic-style sports and hosts over 250 events each year. Programs include Unified Sports®, which bring athletes with and without disabilities together on the same team; Healthy Athletes®, offering free health screenings and education; and Athlete Leadership, where athletes take on roles as coaches, speakers, and advocates. SOTN also engages young children through Young Athletes™ and promotes inclusive school communities through Unified Champion Schools®. Together, these programs create a more inclusive Tennessee, on and off the field.