Special Olympics and Paralympics: What’s the difference?
The Special Olympics and the Paralympics are quite different. But they are both sporting competitions for people with disabilities. People from across the world compete in them both.
The Special Olympics are for people with learning disabilities. An example of a learning disability is Down’s syndrome.
Different groups
Paralympic athletes come into six groups: amputees, people with cerebral palsy, people with a visual impairment, people who have had a spinal cord injury, people with a learning disability and Les Autres, which means other people who don’t quite fit any of these groups.
You have to meet certain criteria to be in the Paralympics and it is for elite athletes only, so you have to qualify for the events. Anyone with a learning disability can get involved in the Special Olympics.
Paralympics
The Paralympics are in the same years as the Olympics. They follow right afterwards but are often in a different place. There are big international competitions every two years – winter and summer games.
The next big event on the Paralympic calendar is the Winter Paralympic Games 2010 to be held in Vancouver, Canada. Winter Paralympic sports include:
- Alpine Skiing
- Nordic Skiing
- Ice Sledge Hockey
- Wheelchair Curling
Champion team
It is hard – but fun – work getting in to the British Paralympics, but it is definitely worth it. Keeping fit makes you happy, you can meet people and be proud of the great things you have done.
Disability Snowsport UK is the charity that works with the British Disabled Ski Team. This is the team that will hopefully represent Great Britain in the Winter Paralympics. The charity runs programmes across the country to help get young people with disabilities involved in snowsports.
Youth squad
Disability Snowsport UK runs a Youth Development Squad for the British Disabled Ski Team. This means that young people who could be really good at snowsports can get special training. Obviously it’s fitted around their school work.
Amy King from Disability Snowsport UK, says: “Anyone with a disability can try snowsports. Taking part can help young people to make friends, keep fit and most importantly have fun!
“Disability Snowsport runs programmes that help children of any age get involved in their local area and improve their skills.
“By taking part regularly, they could even make it to the Paralympics as part of the British Disabled Ski Team.”
Special Olympics
Special Olympics International oversees the Special Olympics. It has programmes across the world, including Special Olympics Great Britain (SOGB).
SOGB runs sports training all through the year and gives people with learning disabilities loads of ways to get active, meet people and increase their confidence.
