In 1962, Eunice Kennedy Shriver began a summer day camp at her home in Maryland for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This camp was designed to allow these special individuals a chance to explore their capabilities in a variety of sports and physical activities. The idea quickly took off, and in 1968 the first International Special Olympics took place at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL, with 1,000 athletes from the US and Canada competing in Track & Field and Swimming.
Since 1972, Special Olympics Wyoming has provided year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of well-coached Olympic-Type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities by providing athletes with continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness skills, express courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of talents, skills and friendship with their families, friends, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
SOWY also provides inclusive health services, employment opportunities, advocacy and leadership programs, enhance Unified sports opportunities in thier communities, and more for people of all abilities and ages. Through SOWY, families, athletes, and individuals can discover resources, gain support, and participate in our many programs and additional services.
We work to bring awareness and advocate for our athletes, so that we may realize founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s vision: to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities everywhere, and transform the lives of everyone they touch – building a better, more accepting world for all of us.
JOIN THE #INCLUSIONREVOLUTION
Athletes are the core of the Special Olympics movement and the meaning behind everything we do through our association with Special Olympics Wyoming. Special Olympics Wyoming strives to create new and innovative programming while celebrating the achievements of people with intellectual disabilities.
Special Olympics Wyoming athletes benefit from: Improved physical fitness and sports skills, enhanced self-confidence and social competency, greater readiness for employment, better preparation for independent living, increased ability to make personal decisions, improved friendships and family relationships, and so much more. No athlete is prohibited from participating based on their ability to pay or thier ability level. We are excited to have new participants and hope that you choose to join the Inclusion Revolution!
