The Special Olympics oath is….Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me brave in the attempt.

Our leaders are….Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder and Honorary Chairman; Sargent Shriver, Chairman of the Board; and Timothy P. Shriver, Ph.D., President and CEO.

Our mission is….to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with mental retardation by 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.

Our goal is….for all persons with mental retardation to have the chance to become useful and productive citizens who are accepted and respected in their communities.

The benefits…of participation in Special Olympics for people with mental retardation include improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence, a more positive self-image, friendships, and increased family support. Special Olympics athletes carry these benefits with them into their daily lives at home, in the classroom, on the job, and in the community. Families who participate become stronger as they learn a greater appreciation of their athlete's talents. Community volunteers find out what good friends the athletes can be. And everyone learns more about the capabilities of people with mental retardation.

The Spirit of Special Olympics-skill, courage, sharing, and joy-transcends boundaries of geography, nationality, political philosophy, gender, age, race, or religion.

Special Olympics began….in 1968 when Eunice Kennedy Shriver organized the First International Special Olympics Games at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, USA. The concept was born in the early 1960s when Mrs. Shriver started a day camp for people with mental retardation. She saw that individuals with mental retardation were far more capable in sports and physical activities than many experts thought. Since 1968, millions of children and adults with mental retardation have participated in Special Olympics.