Special Olympics World Games

The Special Olympics World Games are a multi-sport event for athletes with intellectual disabilities being held in Los Angeles, United States, in the tradition of Special Olympics movement. These games, hosting around 6,500 athletes from 177 countries, marked the first time in sixteen years that the biennial Special Olympics World Games have been hosted by the United States.

Although local Special Olympics events and competitions are held around the world every day, the World Games are flagship events. The goal is to showcase the skills and accomplishments of people with intellectual disabilities on a global stage. The World Games feature more than a week of competitions involving thousands of athletes. Through media coverage of the games, the stories and achievements of children and adults with intellectual disabilities are made known to millions of people worldwide.

Special Olympics World Games take place every two years and alternate between summer and Winter Games, a schedule similar to the Olympics and Paralympics. The athletes are adults and children with intellectual disabilities who can range from gifted, world class competitions to average athletes to those with limited physical disability. It is a fundamental rule of Special Olympics competitions that athletes are matched up according to their ability and age.