Special Olympics Florida unites athletes of diverse abilities
All eyes were glued to Rio recently. Both the U.S. men’s and women’s 4x100-meter swimming medley relay teams won gold medals in the 2016 Summer Olympics. The medley relay race perfectly exemplifies the power of uniting athletes’ unique strengths to achieve more than any one person could by him or herself. As the president and CEO of Special Olympics Florida, I have been able to witness a movement growing here and across the world through Special Olympics Unified Sports. As in the swimming medley, Special Olympics Florida is bringing together athletes of diverse abilities to bring about incredible change.
The Unified Sports program joins people with intellectual disabilities (Special Olympics athletes) and without (Unified partners), playing together on the same team to promote social inclusion and mutual respect. Through shared sports training and competition experiences, people of all abilities build relationships and have fun playing sports.
The opportunity for children and adults with intellectual disabilities to participate in sports alongside their peers without disabilities is invaluable, but I believe it is equally beneficial for those without disabilities to get to know and befriend individuals who are often labeled as “different.”
Special Olympics athletes have extraordinary potential and so much to contribute but rarely are given the chance to show it. Through collaboration in Unified Sports, athletes improve their social and behavioral skills while showcasing their potential, and partners develop a broader sense of compassion and understanding.
Unified Sports is officially active in more than 100 schools in Florida, but is not limited to student athletes. Special Olympics has no upper age limit, so once individuals with intellectual disabilities age out of the school system, it is even more vital that they maintain relationships and structure through organized sports activities.
We have made incredible progress, but we still have so far to go. Special Olympics Florida needs the help of every Floridian to create and sustain a state that values people of all abilities equally.