In 1968, Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics because
she believed people with intellectual disabilities, young and
old, could take part in and benefit from competitive sports.
The lessons learned through sports would translate into competence
and success off the field in the school, in the workplace and
in the community.
Today, Special Olympics is the world's largest program of sports training and
competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, inspiring
greatness in more than a million athletes in over 150 nations worldwide.
Special Olympics Nebraska...
serves over 3,000 individuals 8 to 83 years of age in over 110 communities
in Nebraska. Our state office is located at 8801 F Street in Omaha. Special
Olympics Nebraska is divided into 6 geographic areas. Our athletes
must compete at an area competition and place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd
in order to advance to any state level competition.
Click below to see our Picture Gallery
Collage #1 Collage #2 Collage #3 Collage #4
Collage - Basketball Collage - Bocce Collage - Softball
Collage - Tennis Collage - Volleyball Collage - Volunteers
Our mission is....
to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety
of Olympic-type 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 friendships with their families, and other Special Olympics
athletes and the community.
Our goal is...
that all persons with an intellectual disabilities have the chance
to become useful and productive citizens who are accepted and
respected in their communities.
The benefits...
for our athletes are tremendous. Benefits of participation in Special
Olympics include improved physical fitness and motor skills,
greater self-confidence, friendships, a more positive self-image,
and increased family support.
Hall of Fame...
The Special Olympics Nebraska Marleigh Hoy Hall of Fame Award is given annually to five female and five male athletes and one male and one female coach.
Athletes and coaches are selected by evaluating the following criteria:. Olympic Concept, Participation.Courage, Love, Devotion, Effort, Behavior, Spirit, Sportsmanship, Integrity, Personality, Joy, Cooperation, Confidence and Enthusiasm.
The award was named in Marleigh Hoy's honor in August 1979. 2006 marks the 30 year anniversary of her death. For her story, please feel free to click on the link below.
http://www.eltiste-kaiser.com/HoyFile/Hoy/MarleighHoy1.htm
