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 and developmental disabilities throughout the state. Special Olympics Florida is a Level 1 Accredited Program (highest level of accreditation granted by SOI) and is divided into eleven area programs, which cover over fifty-five counties.
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.