Special Olympics Africa > Differences

Differences between Special Olympics and Paralympics

Special Olympics and Paralympics are two separate organizations recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The principal differences between the two lie in the disability of participating athletes and levels of sports ability.In addition, Special Olympics is the only organization that the International Olympic Committee has given permission to use the word "Olympics."

Disability Criteria

Special Olympics is the world's largest year-round program of sports training and competition for individuals (age 8 and older) with intellectual disabilities. More than 2.25 million persons with intellectual disabilities in more than 200 Programs in more than 160 countries train and compete in more than 30 Olympic-type sports at local, state, national and World Games.

Through its grass-roots sports programs, Special Olympics provides long-term benefits to participants' health, self-esteem and social integration.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the international representative organization of elite sports for athletes with disabilities (primarily physical disabilities). IPC organizes, supervises and coordinates the Paralympic Games and other multi-disability competitions on the elite sports level (in 25 different sports), of which the most important are world and regional championships. It is an international nonprofit organization formed and run by 160 National Paralympic Committees and five disability-specific international sports federations.*

Ability Levels and Athletic Competition

Special Olympics involves athletes from all ability levels with participation from the full range of intellectual disability. In order to assure fair competition, Special Olympics athletes are placed in "divisions" with other athletes of similar ability. Each division is a "final" allowing all athletes a fair opportunity to compete with a chance to win. This system is designed to challenge each athlete to do his or her best while providing a meaningful and enjoyable experience.

The Paralympics involves athletes from six disability groups who compete only on the elite sports level. As in mainstream sports competition, athletes who do not meet qualifying standards may not compete and others who are competing may lose in preliminary play. The mainstream philosophy of sport is applied that facilitates competition to determine the "best" athlete or team.

* The IPC is the international representative organization of elite sports for athletes with disabilities (primarily physical disabilities). The International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability (INAS-FID), which is affiliated with the IPC, serves only elite athletes with intellectual disabilities. While INAS-FID offers an elite model of competition to those few athletes with intellectual disabilities who qualify, Special Olympics offers sport to all persons with intellectual disabilities, from those who could compete in INAS-FID events to those with severe and profound challenges