About Special Olympics Iowa

Special Olympics has grown since it started in 1968. Many special needs athletes have taken part in the Special Olympics all over the world in many official sports.

 

Ted Kennedy started Special Olympics International in 1968.

According to Special Olympics Iowa, the Special Olympics is the largest sports organization in the world. It reaches over 150 countries. The Special Olympics has over 15,000 official games, meets, and events in the United States. More than one million athletes compete every year.

Special Olympics Iowa started in 1969, one year after Special Olympics Inc. started. Special Olympics Iowa had only 100 athletes in 1969, but now has more than10,000 according to Special Olympics Iowa.

The State office for Special Olympics Iowa resides in West Des Moines, IA. A volunteer board of 24 members governs the 11 geographical areas of the state. Johnson County finds itself in the east central Iowa area along with Benton, Linn, Jones, Iowa, Cedar, and Washington counties, according to Special Olympics Iowa.

Special Olympics Iowa covers all counties in Iowa. Each of the 11 areas of the state has a volunteer director to arrange vollunteers, facilities, etc., according to Special Olympics Iowa.

 

Special Olympics in other states