The Special Olympics is an international organization that helps people with intellectual disabilities develop self confidence and social skills through sports training and competition. The athletes can develop social relationships with their teammates and coaches during continuous training. The individuals will also have the opportunity to stay fit and healthy while improving their coordination and skill. Special was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in the 1960s. The late Rosemary Kennedy, who suffered from mental retardation, is often credited as the inspiration for the Special Olympics. (Shriver and Kennedy were sisters.) The current chairman and chief executive officer of the organization is Bruce Pasternack.

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Today, over one million athletes, from children to adults, are involved in Special Olympics sports programs in more than 150 countries. The organization offers athletes year-round training and competition in 26 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. There is no charge to participate in Special Olympics. Events are geared to accommodate a variety of levels of ability so that athletes can compete with others who have similar capabilities.

The Special Olympics Oath is "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

Like the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, the Special Olympics World Games are held once every four years. The last Summer Games were held in Dublin, Ireland from June 20-29, 2003, the first time the games were held outside the USA. The last Winter Games were held in Nagano, Japan, between February 26-March 5, 2005. The first International Special Olympics Games (as they were known at the time) were held in Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, USA, in 1968.

On July 2, 2006, Ames, Iowa hosted the first Special Olympics USA National Games.

In 2007, Shanghai will host the Summer Games.

In 2009, Boise, Idaho will host the Winter Games. Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, was originally the host city of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. However, due to "unknown circumstances", the city gave back the hosting rights to the Special Olympics organization. As the result, 4 alternate candidate cities submitted bids: Boise, Idaho, USA; Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany; Reno-Tahoe, Nevada, USA; and, Schladming-Graz, Austria.

The Special Olympics have recently given their approval to the film The Ringer. It is a film about a man (played by Johnny Knoxville) who pretends to be mentally challenged in order to fix the Special Olympics. This movie doesn't make fun of those who are mentally challenged as some may think; it shows a real picture of just how admirable they are.

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