Special Olympics Illinois-Region F

Special Olympics is a global organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport every day around the world. Through programming in sports health education and community building Special Olympics is changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities solving the global injustice isolation intolerance and inactivity they face. Special Olympics Illinois provides opportunities for more than 22 000 athletes more than 20 000 Young Athletes 45 000 volunteers and thousands more people statewide through 18 Area programs in all 102 counties of the state. Special Olympics began in Illinois with the first games at Soldier Field in July 1968 thanks to the efforts of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her peers. There are now more than 4.5 million athletes in 170 countries. Special Olympics is financially sound with diverse revenue streams a thorough annual budget process and increasing organizational revenue streams. Special Olympics Illinois does not charge athletes or their families to participate in the program.

Our mission at Special Olympics Illinois 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 demonstrate courage experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts skills and friendship with their families other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Locally, in Region, we serve 804 athletes from Rock Island, Henry, Stark, Mercer, Knox, Warren, Henderson, Fulton, McDonough and Hancock counties.