| Letter from the Chairman |
| "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." Created by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation Loudoun County Special Olympics, Area 14 of Special Olympics Virginia, is one of the most successful athletic programs in Northern Virginia. Special Olympics is a non-profit 401(c) 3 sports organization that provides training and competition in various Olympics-style sports, for people aged 8 and up with intellectual disabilities. We welcome special athlete, ages 6 and 7, as "athletes in training." For Special Olympics athletes, the training never stops and the benefits last a lifetime. Special Olympic programs provide our citizens the opportunity to become physically fit, develop cooperation and social skills, and increase their self-esteem, all while competing in an Olympic-type sports program. We currently offer the following sports in our year-round program: Team basketball, individual skills basketball, swimming, bowling, soccer, volleyball, tennis, softball, golf, power lifting, track & field, equestrian, cheerleading and bocce ball. All athletes train and complete at no cost to them or their families. Our programs rely on private and corporate support as well as the efforts of the athletes through their fund raising endeavors. It is through community support, dedicated volunteers & coaches, that Loudoun County Special Olympics survives and enjoys its many successes. We appreciate any support that you can provide, both financially and by volunteering your time and talents. Inspire Greatness, Chairperson Loudoun County Special Olympics Eligibility for participation in Special Olympics is open to those individuals at least eight years old who have been identified by an agency, or professional, as having an intellectual disability. An intellectual disability is defined as having mental retardation, or who have cognitive delays as measured by formal assessment, or who have significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay which have required specifically designed instruction. Unified sports are also offered. This program combines athletes with and without intellectual disabilities. Unified sports dramatically increase inclusion opportunities in the community for people with intellectual disabilities by breaking down barriers that have historically kept these people apart. |