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Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance, and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities.

Our Mission

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

 

Special Olympics Louisiana began in 1968 when 15 athletes from Belle Chasse State School competed in the first International Special Olympics Games in Chicago.

 

 

Currently, more than 10,000 intellectually disabled children and adults in Louisiana participate in more than 100 local competitions in the 13 SOLA Areas and state-level competitions.

 

SOLA offers more than 20 Olympic-type sports including basketball, athletics, softball, bowling, golf, equestrian, gymnastics, power lifting, aquatics, volleyball, table tennis, bocce, cycling, badminton and team handball.

 

Athletes at all ability levels participate in Special Olympics and they must have some degree of intellectual disability. Special Olympics offers many events to accommodate the wide range of athletic interests demonstrated by its athletes and uses a process to ensure that athletes compete against others of similar gender, age, and ability. Special Olympics does not charge a fee to athletes (or their families) to train or compete.

 

The Special Olympics oath is "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

 

Everyone is a winner in Special Olympics. Athletes earn gold, silver or bronze medals or fourth through eighth place ribbons in each event. The rules accommodate all levels of athletic ability and enable participants to compete against athletes of similar skills so that all have a fair chance to win an event.

 

Special Olympics Louisiana accomplishes its mission through the dedication and generosity of volunteers and sponsors. More than 12,000 volunteers in Louisiana contribute their time and expertise to help Special Olympics reach as many athletes as possible. Special Olympics Louisiana does not receive financial assistance from Special Olympics Incorporated, the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., Foundation, and is not a member of the United Way. SOLA must be self-sufficient in raising its $1.6 million annual budget. Special Olympics Louisiana relies upon the generosity of corporate and individual donations, civic groups, foundation grants and special events to fund its programs.