The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Over the last five decades, Special Olympics Tennessee (SOTN) has been advocating a powerful message: individuals with intellectual disabilities not only can but will thrive when provided with opportunities.
Engaging in training and competitions across 16 Olympic-style sports, SOTN athletes demonstrate resilience and play with unmatched dedication. They consistently aim to surpass their personal achievements, defying challenges repeatedly. Whether on local fields or grand stages like the World Games, participating in activities ranging from swimming to snowboarding, our athletes proudly exhibit the talents, capabilities, and victories of those with intellectual disabilities.
Special Olympics Tennessee is a registered 501(c)(3), non-profit organization supported by private donations from individuals, corporations, and organizations throughout the state. Special Olympics is “the most credible charity in America,” according to a survey in the Chronicle of Philanthropy. In 2024, Morning Consult placed Special Olympics as a top-performing nonprofit in their Most Trusted Brands ranking, landing at #5 out of 50 nonprofits tested.