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ABOUT US

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

  • Area 17 represents the cities and counties of Culpeper, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock.

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  • Area 17 has year round sports. ​​

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  • Area 17 competes in state tournaments.

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  • More than 85% of Special Olympics athletes are outside of North America

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  • Summer Games are in June in Richmond, Virginia. 

  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics in 1968, with the first International Special Olympics Games at Solider Fields in Chicago, IL.

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  • Individuals who complete in Special Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills and greater self esteem. ​

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  • Special Olympics has extensive programming in the areas of health, education and community building in addition to its well established sports programs. 

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