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When do Special Olympics take place?
Special Olympics BC sports programs are offered
year-round in over 49 communities across British
Columbia.
Special Olympics Games take place on a four-year competition
cycle for summer and winter sports.
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2005 Special Olympics Summer Provincial Games & World Winter
Games
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2006 Special Olympics National Summer Games & Regional
Winter Games
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2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games & Provincial Winter
Games
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2008 Special Olympics Summer Regional Games & National
Winter Games
Are Special Olympics Games for individuals with physical
disabilities?
No. Special Olympics is for individuals with intellectual
disabilities. The Paralympics involve athletes with
physical disabilities. (There are Special Olympians who are
able to compete in the Paralympics, but the Paralympics and Special
Olympics are distinct.)
Are Special Olympics Games held right after
the regular Olympic Games?
No. The Paralympics are held right after the generic
Olympics, and involve athletes with a physical disability.
(There are Special Olympians who are able to compete in the
Paralympics, but the Paralympics and Special Olympics are
distinct.)
Who is eligible to participate in Special Olympics
Games?
To be eligible to participate in Special Olympics Games,
athletes must be at least 8 years old and identified by
an agency or professional as having one of the following
conditions: intellectual disabilities, cognitive delays as measured
by formal assessment, or significant learning or vocational
problems due to cognitive delay that require or have required
specially designed instruction.
What is the definition of intellectual
disability?
According to the World Health Organization:
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An intellectual disability is a condition of arrested or
incomplete development of the mind characterized by impairment of
skills and overall intelligence in areas such as cognition,
language, and motor and social abilities.
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An intellectual disability can occur with or without any other
physical or mental disorders.
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Although reduced level of intellectual functioning is the
characteristic feature of this disorder, the diagnosis is made only
if it is associated with a diminished ability to adapt to the daily
demands of the normal social environment.
How prevalent are intellectual
disabilities?
Intellectual disabilities knows no boundaries. They cut across
the lines of racial, ethnic, educational, social and economic
backgrounds and can occur in any family. According to
the World Health Organization, approximately 170 million people or
three percent of the world’s population, have
intellectual disabilities – the largest disability
population in the world.
Is Special Olympics just for young people?
Special Olympics welcomes participants of all ages, including
children over six years of age, youth and adults. Many athletes are
involved in Special Olympics programs throughout their lives.
Of the 3,500 athletes currently involved in Special Olympics BC
programs, approximately 75% are adults.
What is the appropriate language to be used when
referring to athletes involved with BCSO?
So that emphasis is placed on the person, and not their
condition, the preferred language is:
Jane Public, a person with an intellectual disability
Jane Public, who has an intellectual disability
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