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History of Special Olympics Timeline

(1962 – Present)

The Special Olympics is a global movement that provides sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, it began with Camp Shriver in 1962 and held its first International Summer Games in Chicago in 1968. Today, it serves millions of athletes in more than 170 countries, promoting inclusion, acceptance, and the transformative power of sport. Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Origins and Early Years

Oliver's research on exercise for children with intellectual disabilities

Jun 1, 1958

Dr. James Oliver of England conducted pioneering research, including a ground-breaking study showing that physical exercise and activities for children with intellectual disabilities had positive effects that also carried over into the classroom. The study was published in the British Journal of Educational Psychology in June 1958.

Image source: Special Olympics

Oliver's research on exercise for children with intellectual disabilities

Rosemary Kennedy as inspiration for Eunice Shriver

Jan 1, 1963

It has often been said that Rosemary Kennedy's disability was the inspiration behind her sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver's decision to form Special Olympics. However, in a 1995 interview with The New York Times, Eunice clarified that this was not exactly the case.

Camp Shriver founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Jun 1, 1963

In June 1963, Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp called Camp Shriver for children with intellectual and physical disabilities at her home in Potomac, Maryland. This camp is widely regarded as a precursor to the Special Olympics movement.

Image source: Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Camp Shriver founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Dr. Oliver serves as consultant to Camp Shriver

Jun 1, 1964

In 1964, Dr. James Oliver, whose research had demonstrated the benefits of physical conditioning for children with intellectual disabilities, served as a consultant to Camp Shriver.

Burke approaches Kennedy Foundation to fund first games

Jan 1, 1967

In 1967, Anne McGlone Burke approached the Kennedy Foundation to help fund a sporting event for people with intellectual disabilities. The foundation agreed, laying the groundwork for what would become the first Special Olympics games.

Hayden starts floor hockey program in Chicago

Sep 1, 1968

With the help of a local school that offered space in its gym, Frank Hayden started one of the first publicly organized sports programs, floor hockey for individuals with intellectual disabilities, in the fall of 1968.

Image source: Frank Hayden

Hayden starts floor hockey program in Chicago

Hayden's leadership roles through 1972 and beyond

Jan 1, 1972

Dr. Frank Hayden served as the games' executive director through 1972, after which he worked in international development for the games, helping expand the movement worldwide.

Programs, Recognition, and Milestones

First three official sports offered

Jan 1, 1968

In 1968, track and field, swimming, and floor hockey were the first three official sports offered by Special Olympics.

Athlete's oath introduced at inaugural games

Jul 20, 1968

The Special Olympics athlete's oath, 'Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt,' was first introduced by Eunice Kennedy Shriver at the inaugural Special Olympics international games in Chicago in 1968.

Formation of Special Olympics announced

Jul 20, 1968

At the July 1968 games in Chicago, Eunice Kennedy Shriver announced the formation of Special Olympics and that more games would be held every two years as a 'Biennial International Special Olympics'.

United Nations declares 1986 Year of the Special Olympics

Jan 1, 1986 - Dec 31, 1986

The United Nations declared 1986 the year of the Special Olympics, recognizing the growing global significance of the movement for people with intellectual disabilities.

IOC officially recognizes Special Olympics

Feb 15, 1988

In 1988, the Special Olympics was officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), cementing its status within the international sports community.

Healthy Athletes initiative launched

Jan 1, 1997

In 1997, Healthy Athletes became an official Special Olympics initiative, offering health information and screenings to Special Olympics athletes worldwide who might otherwise lack access to such care.

Image source: Special Olympics

Healthy Athletes initiative launched

Storey summarizes objections to Special Olympics

Jan 1, 2004

Scholar Keith Storey summarized common objections to the Special Olympics in a 2004 article published in the Journal of Disability Policy Studies, contributing to ongoing academic debate about the movement.

President George W. Bush signs Special Olympics Sport Act

Oct 30, 2004

On October 30, 2004, President George W. Bush signed legislation supporting the Special Olympics, demonstrating continued federal commitment to the movement in the United States.

First Special Olympics USA Games

Jul 2, 2006 - Jul 7, 2006

In July 2006, the first Special Olympics USA Games were held at Iowa State University, providing a national-level competition for American athletes within the movement.

Healthy Athletes reaches over one million screenings

Jan 1, 2010

By 2010, the Healthy Athletes program had given free health screenings and treatment to more than 1 million people with intellectual disabilities around the world.

Healthy Communities initiative launches

Jan 1, 2012

In 2012, the Special Olympics Healthy Communities initiative launched in eight countries—Kazakhstan, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Romania, South Africa and Thailand—as well as six U.S. states, expanding access to health services for people with intellectual disabilities.

Unified Robotics program begins

Jan 1, 2016

Unified Robotics, a program that pairs Special Olympics students with FIRST Robotics students to build robots, began in 2016. It has been bringing opportunities for technological skill development to Special Olympics students in Washington state, Arizona, and other regions since.

Mary Davis named chief executive officer

May 1, 2016

In May 2016, Mary Davis of Dublin, Ireland, was named chief executive officer of Special Olympics International, becoming the leader of the global movement.

Image source: Mary Davis (activist)

Mary Davis named chief executive officer

'Inclusion Revolution' mission launched for 50th anniversary

Jul 20, 2018

As part of the Special Olympics 50th Anniversary celebration in 2018, a new mission called the 'Inclusion Revolution' was launched, aiming to promote inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities throughout society.

'Eternal Flame of Hope' dedicated near Soldier Field

Jul 20, 2018

In 2018, the Chicago Park District dedicated the 'Eternal Flame of Hope' in honor of the Special Olympics. The 30-foot sculpture by Richard Hunt stands in a plaza next to Soldier Field, where the first games were held 50 years earlier in 1968.

Image source: Eternal flame

'Eternal Flame of Hope' dedicated near Soldier Field

Special Olympics reaches 204 countries and territories

May 1, 2023

As of May 2023, there are 204 countries and territories participating in Special Olympics, grouped into seven geographic regions, demonstrating the truly global scale of the movement.

Summer Games

First Special Olympics games held in Chicago

Jul 20, 1968

The first Special Olympics International Games were held on July 20, 1968, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, with about 1,000 athletes from across the United States competing. The event took place six weeks after the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, Eunice Kennedy Shriver's younger brother.

Second games held; France sends first non-North American athletes

Aug 13, 1970

The second Special Olympics games were held in 1970 at Soldier Field in Chicago, engaging some 2,500 participants. France sent the first athletes from outside North America to compete in these games.

Third games draw athletes from 10 nations

Aug 1, 1972

The third Special Olympics games were held in 1972, seeing 10 nations send athletes to compete, reflecting the growing international reach of the movement.

1979 Summer Games at SUNY Brockport

Aug 8, 1979 - Aug 13, 1979

The State University of New York at Brockport played host to the 1979 Special Olympics World Summer Games. Sculptor Zurab Tsereteli was then a visiting artist in residence at the university.

First Summer Games outside the U.S. held in Dublin

Jun 21, 2003 - Jun 29, 2003

In 2003, the first summer games held outside the United States took place in Dublin, Ireland, with 7,000 athletes from 150 countries participating. It was the largest sporting event ever hosted in Ireland at that time.

Image source: 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games

First Summer Games outside the U.S. held in Dublin

Dublin games change international perceptions

Jun 21, 2003 - Jun 29, 2003

The 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games dramatically changed the perceptions and attitudes of international society regarding the abilities and limitations of people with intellectual disabilities.

McAleese praises 2003 opening ceremony

Jun 21, 2003

The opening ceremony of the 2003 Games has been described by Irish President Mary McAleese as 'a time when Ireland was at its superb best', capturing the spirit and pride of the host nation.

Berlin hosts most recent Summer Games

Jun 16, 2023 - Jun 25, 2023

The most recent Special Olympics World Summer Games were hosted in Berlin, Germany, from June 16 to 25, 2023.

Image source: 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games

Berlin hosts most recent Summer Games

Winter Games

First World Winter Games in Steamboat Springs

Feb 5, 1977 - Feb 11, 1977

The first Special Olympics World Winter Games were held in February 1977 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, United States, expanding the movement beyond summer sports.

Image source: Special Olympics World Games

First World Winter Games in Steamboat Springs

First Winter Games outside the U.S. in Austria

Mar 20, 1993 - Mar 27, 1993

Austria hosted the first Special Olympics World Winter Games outside the United States in 1993. The games took place in Salzburg and Schladming, marking a milestone in the internationalization of the winter games.

Sarajevo originally selected to host 2009 Winter Games

Jan 1, 2009

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, was originally selected to host the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Due to financial problems and constant delays in reconstructing venues from the 1984 Winter Olympics, the city gave up hosting, and Boise, Idaho, was invited to host instead.

Image source: 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games

Sarajevo originally selected to host 2009 Winter Games

Global Development Summit held at Pyeongchang Winter Games

Jan 29, 2013 - Feb 5, 2013

During the World Winter Games of 2013 in Pyeongchang, South Korea, the first Special Olympics Global Development Summit was held on 'Ending the Cycle of Poverty and Exclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities,' gathering government officials, activists, and business leaders from around the world.

Image source: 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games

Global Development Summit held at Pyeongchang Winter Games

Sweden withdraws as 2021 Winter Games host

Dec 20, 2019

Åre and Östersund, Sweden were planned to host the 2021 World Winter Games between February 2 to 13, 2021. However, on December 20, 2019, it was announced that the Swedish Paralympic Committee vetoed the necessary financing for the continuity of the event in the country, invalidating a promise made during the bid process. Special Olympics was forced to delay the event, and in 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic arose.

Image source: 2022 Special Olympics World Winter Games

Sweden withdraws as 2021 Winter Games host

Kazan announced as 2022 Winter Games host

Jun 29, 2020

On June 29, 2020, Kazan, Russia was announced as the winter host for the 2022 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

Kazan games cancelled amid Russian invasion of Ukraine

Mar 4, 2022

On March 4, 2022, it was announced that the Kazan games would be cancelled due to safety and economic concerns arising from the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Image source: Russian invasion of Ukraine

Kazan games cancelled amid Russian invasion of Ukraine

Turin hosts most recent Winter Games

Mar 8, 2025 - Mar 15, 2025

The most recent Special Olympics World Winter Games were held in Turin, Italy, from March 8, 2025, to March 15, 2025.

Image source: 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games

Turin hosts most recent Winter Games

Key Facts

  1. Eunice Kennedy Shriver started Camp Shriver in 1962 at her Maryland home, an early program for children with intellectual disabilities that inspired the Special Olympics.
  2. The first International Special Olympics Summer Games were held on July 20, 1968, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, with about 1,000 athletes from the United States and Canada.
  3. The Special Olympics Oath — 'Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.' — was introduced at the first games.
  4. In 1971, the U.S. Olympic Committee gave Special Olympics official approval to use the name 'Olympics,' and the first Winter Games were held in 1977 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
  5. Today, Special Olympics serves more than five million athletes with intellectual disabilities in over 170 countries, offering training and competition in dozens of Olympic-type sports year-round.

Source

This History of Special Olympics timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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