Special Olympics - History

Special Olympics was formed in Great Britain in 1978 as part of the worldwide movement, which was founded in the USA in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a wonderfully enthusiastic team of experts and volunteers has worked mightily to bring sports training, competition and sheer pleasure to thousands of people with a learning disability in Great Britain.

SOGB hope that you will not only learn about our organisation from these pages, but more importantly will want to know how to get involved or attend an event - where you will find that enthusiasm and joy are infectious.

In 2008, Special Olympics Great Britain will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary. It is our goal to raise £1 million during the year to further support and grow this unique voluntary and free sports training and competition programme for people with learning disabilities.

SOGB currently provide the programme across Great Britain through 135 clubs which currently provide to over 8000 children and adults but in reality there are further 1.2 million people across Great Britain with a learning disability who currently may not have an opportunity to take part in sport at any level. We are committed to increasing opportunities through the provision of new clubs and training of more volunteers, to ensure that every person with a learning disability who wishes to take part in sport has this life changing opportunity.