Special Olympics

American  

plural noun

1. an international program of fitness and athletic competition for children and adults who have mental and often physical disabilities, founded in 1968 and featuring events and quadrennial games modeled on those of the Olympics as well as regional and national competitions.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Special Olympian
  noun

Example Sentences

This week he invited Special Olympics athletes who completed the London Marathon to Hill Dickinson Stadium.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

He was one of L.A.’s best-known philanthropists, contributing more than $100 million to causes such as the Special Olympics and the Los Angeles Zoo.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

"Jenkins just put your project and Special Olympics funding on the veto list," Fine wrote to West Melbourne City Councilman John Dittmore.

From Salon • Apr. 2, 2025

There’s also more than $4 billion nationally to help individuals with disabilities become gainfully employed and $36 million for the Special Olympics.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2025

They participated in a football clinic with Special Olympics Michigan athletes on a cold, blustery morning in a ballpark that used to be the site of old Tigers Stadium.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 24, 2024