MISSIONThe mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round training and competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities GOALThe goal of Madison County Special Olympics is for all persons with disabilities to become valuable and productive citizens who are accepted and respected in our community BENEFITSSpecial Olympics contributes to the physical, social, and psychological development of the athletes. Through their experiences in competition, they gain confidence and build self-esteem that carries over into the classroom, home, job, and community. HISTORYThe concept of Special Olympics began in the early 1960's when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for people with mental retardation. Ohio's involvement started in the late 1960's under the name Ohio Athletic Association. In 1970, Madison County attended its first Special Olympics event. The county sent nine athletes to compete in Cleveland, Ohio. Today Special Olympics has grown into an international program of year-round sports training and athletic competition for more than one million children and adults. There are currently programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 150 different countries around the world. |
Lincoln Comer
Director of Special Olympics and Community Recreation 
Caterina Pierce
Recreation Coordinator |