|
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition
in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people eight years of age and
older with developmental disabilities. Our programs give our athletes
continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage,
experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skill, and friendship
with their families, other athletes and the community.
The concept for Special Olympics was born in the early 1960s when
Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for people with developmental
disabilities at her home in Rockville, Maryland. The first International
Special Olympics Games were held in 1968 at Soldier Field, Chicago with
1,000 athletes with developmental disabilities from 26 states and Canada.
Mrs. Shriver's vision has grown into one of the largest and most successful sports
and volunteer organizations in the world. There are Chapters in every state of
America and in more than 140 countries worldwide serving more than one-million
Special Olympics athletes. Special
Olympics Northern California is proud to serve over 15,000 individuals with
developmental disabilities. From the Oregon border to Monterey and Tulare counties,
our athletes have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of sports
trainings and competitions that take place throughout the year. In order to
prepare athletes for competition, they must attend a minimum of 8 practices
to insure they are prepared to compete.
Our Program Headquarters, located in Pleasant Hill oversees the staff
in various regional offices in Northern California who are responsible for
managing the local volunteer area programs.
FREE AND ALL YEAR LONG
There are training and competition opportunities year-round within Special Olympics
Northern California. Our programs are free to all eligible athletes and are possible
thanks to the generous support from individuals and businesses who believe in
Special Olympics athletes. We are not a United Way agency and receive no federal
funds. Financial support comes almost exclusively from individuals, organizations,
corporations, and foundations.
Individuals
who are at least eight years old with developmental disabilities
are eligible to participate in Special Olympics. The only requirement for
participation is that an “Application for Participation in Special Olympics” form
must be completed and signed by a physician. Athletes can continue
to enjoy participating for as long as they wish. There is no
age cap. Children ages five through seven can participate in
training practices but cannot officially compete until they are
eight years old. Click here for the Application for Participation
in Special Olympics form. Return your completed form to Donna
Romero, Special Olympics, 3480 Buskirk Ave., #340 Pleasant Hill,
CA 94523.
SPORTS
TRAINING AND COMPETITION
Athletes can choose from 19
different sports opportunities that operate on a calendar year basis. Athletes
train for at least 8 practice sessions before they have the opportunity to compete
in a local or regional competition and have the potential to advance to several
different Championship events.
UNIFIED SPORTS ®
Unified Sports® is a team experience that combines approximately equal
numbers of athletes with and without developmental disabilities, of similar
age and ability. Northern California currently offers Unified Sports in golf.
FOR ATHLETES WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES
Special Olympics believes that every athlete, no matter what their ability, can
enjoy sports. Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) was created by physical
therapists and adaptive PE teachers specifically for those athletes who have
severe disabilities. MATP emphasizes training and participation rather than competition.
The CELEBRITY WINTERFEST & Design, SPECIAL LINKS & Design,
and WALK FOR THE GOLD marks are registered trademarks of Special
Olympics Northern California, Inc.
|
