Media Contact

Quick Facts About SOTX

Photos (from 2022 Summer Games) 

MEDIA MAY USE ABOVE PHOTOS  IN COVERAGE

Branding Guidelines

See our more detailed branding guidelines, but the list below provides the basic guidelines for terminology.

• Say Special Olympics Texas athletes instead of Olympians.
• Refer to us as Special Olympics Texas (without “the” or “of”).
• Say Special Olympics Texas athletes.  

Vision

It is our vision to become the premier provider of Special Olympics training and competition in the world. We approach each endeavor with a single intent - to improve the quality of life for our athletes. The challenges of the future are embraced with enthusiasm and commitment, ensuring that the changing face and needs of our athletes are met.

Mission

The mission of Special Olympics 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 friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Participants

Special Olympics Texas is divided into four regions with 19 area offices. Athletes may begin training as early as six years old, but must be eight years old to compete. Athletes must be 12 years old to attend statewide competitions. Thanks to the Young Athletes Program (YAP), which launched in 2005, children ages two through seven can participate as an “Athlete in Training” in areas where the program is available.