High School Sports Inclusion

By skylerhying

  • First Ever Special Olympics

    In a major step towards inclusivity in the sports world, the first ever special olympics were held in Chicago in 1968 paving the way for players with disabilities everywhere to view themselves as athletes on the world stage. Link text

  • The Outside World begins Participating

    The Second Special Olympic games is held again in Chicago, this time including athletes from not only the U.S. but also France and Canada.

  • Special Olympics Awareness Campaign

    The movements largest grassroots fundraiser, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is started by Richard LaMunyun. This fundraiser not only provides funding for the games, but also brings awareness to the cause of inclusivity in sports.

  • First Primetime Broadcast

    During the Summer games of 1987 the special olympics received their first ever primetime spot on a national tv network validating their cause and allowing for young athletes with disabilities nation wide to see potential in themselves as future olympians.

  • Unified Sports Initiative

    This year marks the beginning of the unified sports initiative, promoting athletes with and without disabilities to play on the same team. A major step towards true inclusivity and integration.

  • The Games go International

    For the first time the games are held outside of the United States. The winter games this year were held in Austria.

  • Healthy Athletes Initiative Begins

    The healthy athletes program provides free health-care services to athletes world wide.

  • 30 Year Anniversary of Special Olympics

    The Special Olympics Celebrate 30 years of existence through the introduction of the International Global Messengers. These Messengers travel the world promoting the rights and respect of people with disabilities.

  • So Get Into It kits

    So Get Into It kits are distributed world wide by the Special Olympics. These kits teach students and teachers about people with disabilities highlighting lessons of inclusion, acceptance, and respect.

  • Going Irish

    Ireland host the first Summer Games held outside of the United States. These games end up being the largest sporting event held in 2003

  • More than 2.5 Million Participants Worldwide

    The Special Olympics surpasses its goal of 2.5 million worldwide participants serving as the leader in advocating for inclusion in sports throughout the world.

  • World Games in China

    These games are the largest yet, and also bring to light a new program called Young Athletes aimed towards helping children with intellectual disabilities aged 2-7.

  • 40th Anniversary

    Special Olympics celebrates its 40th anniversary with almost 3 million athletes worldwide.

  • High School Sports Must Open to Disabled Students

    The White house under the Obama administration made it known to high school athletic departments across the nation that they must open up extracurricular sports to disabled students. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/24/disabilities-high-school-sports/1862105/

  • 4.4 Million Athletes

    The Special Olympics census showed more that 4.4 million athletes worldwide with 80,000 events being hosted every year. A truly astonishing accomplishment in the promotion of inclusion in sports.