World Games / National Games

National Games

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Ames, Iowa welcomes Team Connecticut and athletes from all over the country to the first ever Special Olympics USA National Games. In July, 2006, Ames will be transformed into an Olympic Village to host 3,000 athletes, 2,000 coaches and delegates, 10,000 family members and friends, 8,000 volunteers, and 30,000 spectators. This event promises to highlight thrilling athletic competition, exciting live entertainment, and provide experiences that will generate lifetime memories.

For more information on the National Games click here.

World Games

Alternating between Summer and Winter Games, the Special Olympics World Games is a world-class sporting event that brings public attention to the talents and capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities, helping to change attitudes and break down barriers that excluded them from the mainstream of the community. With over 2,000 athletes from nearly 100 countries, and thousands of volunteers, coaches, family members and supporters, the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games promises to be a truly unique opportunity for the world to witness how the universal language of sport can show the very best of the human spirit and all that it encompasses.

2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games Awarded to Shanghai

China will now play host, in a one-year period, to the world's largest multisport events: in addition to the 2007 Special Olympics World Games, the 2008 Olympic Summer Games, and the 2008 Paralympic Games will take place in China. A landmark for any country, it is the first time the Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Asia, and only the second time the World Summer Games will be held outside the United States.

2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games Awarded to Boise, Idaho

Special Olympics global headquarters announced that Idaho (USA) will be the host site for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, after a decision was made by the International Special Olympics Board of Directors at their meeting on 16 May.

Similar in size to a Winter Olympics, the 2009 World Winter Games will attract more than 2,000 athletes from 100 nations to compete in seven Olympic-type sports. Other finalist sites were: Reno-Tahoe (Nevada, USA); Schladming-Graz (Austria) and Garmisch Partenkirchen (Germany).

Following in the footsteps of Nagano, Japan, the host of the 2005 World Winter Games and joining Shanghai, China, the host of the upcoming 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, this event will be the largest multi-sport event ever held in the state of Idaho. Possible sports venues include Tamarack Resort, Bogus Basin, Taco Bell Arena, Qwest Arena, Idaho Ice World, Boise Centre on the Grove and Boise State University.

"This is a magical opportunity for the people of Idaho to show the world what we can do," said Pirie Grossman. "We are honored to have been selected and can't wait to get down to the business at hand."

In addition to world-class competition in Alpine skiing, cross country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding, snowshoe racing and speed skating, the 2009 World Winter Games will also provide a venue for global discussions and action on the impact Special Olympics can make on the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Up to 190 million people worldwide have an intellectual disability, making it the largest disability group worldwide. Intellectual disability crosses racial, ethnic, educational, social and economic lines, and can occur in any family.