Special Olympics Duval is a non profit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Special Olympics offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type summer and winter sports.

• Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics is the world’s largest program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities or closely related developmental disabilities.
• Special Olympics Duval County was established in 1969.
• Special Olympics Florida, incorporated in 1972, is headquartered in Clermont, Florida and is divided into eleven area programs, covering over 51 counties and over 15,000 athletes.

Mission Statement

The mission of Special Olympics Florida is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities who wish to participate, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. The ultimate objective of Special Olympics Florida is to help people with intellectual disabilities participate as productive and respected members of society at large, by offering them a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and talents through sports training and competition, and by increasing the public’s awareness of their capabilities and needs.

Funding

Special Olympics Duval County is a not-for-profit organization. Families and athletes are not charged a fee to participate. This is made possible through individual and corporate contributions, grants, and special events.