Definition and Structure of Special Olympics
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SPECIAL OLYMPICS |
OLYMPICS
|
PARALYMPICS |
Olympic-type sports for persons who are classified as having a learning disability (* USA and some Special Olympics programmes may use the term - Intellectual disability)
Some athletes may also have a physical disability, but first classification = ID |
Olympic sports for elite sportspeople |
Elite sports for persons with a disability – principally a physical or sensory disability
Impairment Classifications = Athletes with Cerebral Palsy (CP-ISRA), Athletes with Spinal Cord Lesion, Spina Bifida and Polio (ISMWSF), Athletes with Blindness (IBSA) and Athletes with Les Autres or Amputations (ISOD) |
Athletes of all ages are catered for:
Minimum age for entering competition = 8 yrs NO upper limit – in 1987 there was a 70+ yr old Swedish Level I artistic gymnast |
Age of athletes vary according to sport, but few very young or old athletes |
Age of athletes vary according to sport but few young or older athletes |
All ability groups are included in the sports competition |
Elite athletes only – entry standards |
Elite athletes only – entry standards |
Year-Round Training and Competition |
Year-Round Training and Competition |
Centralized training prior to competition |
Every athlete receives recognition for all events |
Only first three are recognised |
Only first three are recognised |
Some events have been adapted to meet ability levels of athletes |
Regular standardised competition |
Some events have been adapted to meet ability levels of athletes |
Summer and Winter World Games
every 4 years – First International Summer Games in 1968, Chicago, USA; First International Winter Games in 1977, Colorado, USA |
Summer and Winter Olympic Games every 4 years –
First Modern Olympics held in 1896, in Athens, Greece; Winter Olympic Games in Chamonix, France in 1924 |
Summer Paralympic Games one month after Olympic Games – begun in 1988 after Seoul Olympic Games |
Independent organisation and structure |
Government supported |
Government supported |
Competition Levels:
School- Local, Area/District State/Province, National Regional, International |
International Only |
State, National, Regional and International |