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Home
Pennsylvania
Special Olympics
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Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Fact
Sheet
Mission -- Special Olympics Pennsylvania
(SOPA), a chapter of Special Olympics Inc., provides year-round athletic
training and athletic competition in 23 Olympic-type sports for individuals
with mental retardation and provides them with continuing opportunities to
develop physical fitness skills, express courage, experience joy, and
participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their
families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
Athletes -- Over 25,000 children
and adults with mental retardation and closely related developmental disabilities
participate in over 300 local, sectional, and state events. Athletes range in
age from 8 to 80 and are of all ability levels.
Volunteers -- Nearly 46,000 volunteers provided the
manpower for SOPA last year. Volunteers of all ages serve as coaches,
escorts, organizers, fund-raisers, entertainers, or sports officials.
Volunteers are always needed!
Competitions -- SOPA
competitions are offered year-round in 53 local programs across Pennsylvania.
SOPA conducts three statewide competitions: Winter Games, Summer Games, and
Fall Festival Games.
Sports -- SOPA offers training
and competition in the following events:
- Alpine skiing
- Aquatics
- Athletics
- Basketball
- Bocce
- Bowling
- Cross-country skiing
- Cycling
- Distance running
- Equestrian sports
- Figure skating
- Floor hockey
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Power-lifting
- Roller hockey
- Roller skating
- Soccer
- Softball
- Speed skating
- Tennis
- Unified Sports
- Volleyball
Benefits
-- A
1995 study by Yale University confirmed that Special Olympics contributes to the
physical, social, and psychological development of people with mental
retardation. Through successful experiences in sports, they gain confidence
and build a positive self-image that carries over into the classroom, the
home, the job, and the community.
Funding -- SOPA is a nonprofit,
tax-exempt organization that raises the funds through the generosity of
individuals, companies, and foundations.
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