Joanna Styczeń-Lasocka – General Director
Special Olympics Poland
j.styczen@olimpiadyspecjalne.pl

Special Olympics is an organization that has been existing for over 55 years. The movement was founded by the sister of US President John Kennedy, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities.
Around the world, Special Olympics brings together nearly 5.5 million athletes with intellectual disabilities from nearly 200 countries. More than 50,000 sports competitions are organized annually. The players are supported by approximately one million coaches and volunteers.

The mission of Special Olympics

Special Olympics wants to create a society of understanding, acceptance and tolerance by creating and implementing sports and non-sports programs in which people with intellectual disabilities take part in the so-called intellectual norm. In this way, Special Olympics fights against the segregation model in favor of unified – common sport.
A year-round series of training and sports competitions in various Olympic disciplines for people with intellectual disabilities, providing the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and share skills and friendship with families, other competitors and the local and global community.
During the Summer and Winter Olympics, competitors compete in the following sports: swimming, athletics, basketball, badminton, bowling, bocce, cycling, horse riding, football, golf, gymnastics, judo, roller skating, powerlifting, softball, tennis, tennis , table tennis, volleyball, handball, sailing, kayaking, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, speed skating, indoor hockey, snowboarding, snowshoe running, floorball.
Special Olympics are subject to the regulations of international sports federations, modified to enable competitors with more severe intellectual disabilities to participate.
Each competitor is classified to an appropriate fitness level. Sports competition takes place between competitors with similar motor skills, with the difference in fitness level between groups being approximately 10%. After the competition, everyone stands on the podium, regardless of the result they achieve in the sports competition.
Special Olympics is recognized by the IOC. They may use the word "Olympics" and the Olympic Ceremony.

Special Olympics, Poland

Special Olympics has existed in Poland for over 39 years.
The activities of Special Olympics Poland have been taking place for many years under the patronage of the First Ladies: Zofia Komorowska, Jolanta Kwaśniewska, Agata Kornhauser-Duda.
The president of the Association in the years 2018-2024 is Anna Lewandowska.
260 regional and national competitions are organized in Poland every year.
There are 507 sports clubs in Poland, enabling competition in 24 sports disciplines. 17,700 players train in the clubs, supported by 1.5 thousand coaches and 7.5 thousand volunteers.
22 sports camps are organized annually for 700 - 900 players.
The activities of Special Olympics in Poland are supported by 18 regional branches.
Special Olympics Poland aims to constantly increase the psychophysical capabilities of athletes for professional training and full effort during competitions, through:

• systematic assessment of the health of Special Olympics athletes
• preparing specialists to conduct research,
• increasing social awareness related to health care problems for people with intellectual disabilities,
• conducting comprehensive medical examinations during Special Olympics competitions
• conducting comprehensive medical examinations during Special Olympics competitions
• training of medical staff and volunteers.

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