The purpose of Special Olympics is to contribute to the physical, social and psychological development of persons with developmental disabilities. Through positive successful experiences in sport, they can gain confidence and self-mastery and start to build a self-image associated with success rather than failure. Success on the playing field often has carry over value into the classroom, home, and work place.

Special Olympics is a year-round worldwide program of sports training and athletic competition for all children and adults with developmental disabilities. Special Olympics is unique in that it provides for competition at all levels of ability by assigning them to competition divisions based on both age and actual performance. Even athletes in the lowest divisions may advance all the way to the World Finals.