(727) 462-1556 E-mail : SOPinellas@aol.com Website : SOPinellas.com Fax: (727) 462-1557
What is Special Olympics Florida, Pinellas County Program?
Special Olympics Florida, Founded in 1972, is an affiliate of Special Olympics Inc. headquartered in Washington D.C. Special Olympics Florida provides sports training and Olympic-style competition to more than 15,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities throughout the state. Special Olympics Florida is a Level I Accredited Program (highest level of accreditation granted by SOI) and is divided into eleven area programs, which cover over fifty-five counties. Pinellas County is an accredited local program through Special Olympics Florida. We are one of five counties in Area VI, along with Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Sumter Counties.
Objective: Through successful sports training and competition, Special Olympics athletes develop physically, socially, and psychologically. The positive experiences that the athletes have in ongoing Special Olympics programs builds confidence and self-image which carries over into all aspects of their lives.
Training: Special Olympics is founded on the philosophy that quality training is crucial to success in sports. Comprehensive year-round training and competition is available to every athlete, conducted by talented volunteer coaches. Training programs have been developed and implemented to improve athletes’ overall physical fitness and sports-specific competence.
Games: Special Olympics Pinellas offers ongoing training and a series of sports competitions held at each organizational level, culminating in State Games. The State Games feature Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the lighting of the Special Olympics “Flame of Hope,” awards ceremonies and a variety of social activities that are modeled after the Olympic Games. Over 200 county, area and state level games and tournaments are held each year in communities throughout the state.
Participation: 940 athletes 50 Training Programs Well over 200 active year-round volunteers
Sports: Official Fall Classic Sports: Bowling, Powerlifting, Roller Skating and Softball
Official Summer Sports: Athletics, Bocce, MATP*, Football (soccer), Tennis and Volleyball
Tournaments: Aquatics, Golf, Equestrian Sports, Sailing
Senior Sports: Bocce, Horseshoes, Shuffleboard (for athletes 35 +)
*Non-competitive Motor Activities Training Program for athletes with profound challenges. Unified Sports® combines athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to form sports teams for training and competition.
Funding: Special Olympics Pinellas County is a not-for-profit organization that is funded primarily through
individual and corporate contributions.
Created by The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation
Authorized and Accredited by Special Olympics International for the Benefit of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities