- Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) provides year-round
sports training and competition for children and adults with
intellectual disabilities or closely related developmental
disabilities. - These athletes, who may or may not have a
physical disability, represent programs from more than 170
countries from all the major continents. - Special Olympics
operates on funds raised at the international, national, state
and local levels from corporations, individuals, special events
and grants. - Special Olympics is sports, competition and
socialization, meaning that the benefits include not only
fitness coordination and cardiovascular improvements but also
confidence, discipline, self-esteem, and fun. - From the start,
Special Olympics has made training the priority and has
established strict guidelines to ensure that every athlete
receives quality training before competing. To improve the
quality of training, Special Olympics instituted a program of
coaches training curriculum and certification in 1981. - Every