Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports movement for people with intellectual disabilities.
Mission
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. This strengthens their self-esteem, fitness, independence, and courage to try new things.
Vision
Our vision is an inclusive world for all, driven by the power of sport, through which people with intellectual disabilities live active, healthy and fulfilling lives.
Special Olympics Switzerland is an independent national foundation represented in the three largest linguistic regions. The foundation’s headquarters are in Ittigen near Bern. Further offices are located in Tenero and Zurich. Special Olympics places great importance on being close to the grassroots to promote sports for children, youth, and adults with disabilities in all regions of Switzerland.
Core Competencies
Special Olympics promotes exercise, play, and sports for people with intellectual disabilities. The foundation
- conducts competitions in 22 sports, giving everyone the opportunity to participate and succeed;
- accompanies delegations to international competitions, enabling them to experience unique moments of success and sustainable development
- offers training courses that enable coaches to provide people with disabilities with the best possible sporting and mental support
- organizes exercise and networking events for people with intellectual disabilities
- promotes the development of regular training programs within the structures of regular sports clubs
Values
Fairness, Joy, and Friendship
We are committed to sincere, friendly, and fair behavior – in the spirit of the Special Olympics oath, “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Respect and Acceptance
We demonstrate that peaceful coexistence based on respect and acceptance is possible among people of diverse backgrounds, views, origins, and cultures.
Appreciation
We express appreciation to all people who are involved in our movement.
Abilities
We promote regular training and participation in competitions because we know that this fosters physical, mental, and social abilities.
Inclusion
Through our work, we contribute to social and societal changes that lead to an inclusive society.