Get August 2011 - Special Olympics Iowa - Soiowa

Then, one day in July 1968, the world began to change. The first Special Olympics competition was held in Chicago's Soldier Field for young people with intellectual disabilities.

The goal of Special Olympics Indiana is for all persons with intellectual disabilities to have the chance to become useful and productive citizens who are accepted and respected in their communities.

Special Olympics was born in Chicago when the first International Special Olympics Games were held on July 20, 1968 at Soldier Field. Since then it has grown into a worldwide movement engaging millions of children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

From 17 to 21 July, Special Olympics 50th Anniversary celebrations reached every corner of the globe, and even turned it red! It all kicked off with the first-ever Unified Cup presented by Toyota during which 24 Unified football teams from across the world battled it out over four days in Chicago.

The SOIA Hall of Fame was created in 2018 by the Board of Directors as a way to recognize the longevity and achievement of athletes and volunteers with the organization. A voting committee, appointed by the Hall of Fame Chair, is responsible for reviewing all nominations and voting for the inductees.

Indiana State is proud to be the birthplace of Special Olympics in the state of Indiana. From a gathering of a few dozen individuals at Indiana State on June 6, 1969, Special Olympics Indiana has grown to more than 10,000 athletes and 7,000 volunteers statewide.