Special Olympics Utah

Founded in 1971, Special Olympics Utah has been creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) to discover their strengths, build confidence, and experience the joy of belonging.

Today, Special Olympics Utah serves more than 7,000 athletes across the state through year-round sports, health, education, and leadership programs—all provided at no cost to athletes or their families.

Through training and competition in 17 sports, children and adults with IDDs build skills, strengthen their bodies, form lasting friendships, and experience the pride of achieving their goals on and off the playing field.

But our impact extends far beyond sports.

Unified Champion Schools bring students with and without disabilities together through inclusive sports, student leadership, and schoolwide activities—helping create school communities where every student is valued, respected, and included.

Healthy Communities provides free health screenings, wellness education, and referrals in seven critical areas of health while training medical professionals to deliver inclusive, respectful care. These programs help address the significant health disparities experienced by people with IDDs.

Athlete Leadership empowers individuals with IDDs to become public speakers, mentors, self-advocates, and community leaders. Athletes gain the skills and confidence to serve on boards, lead initiatives, represent Special Olympics, and have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their lives.

Every athlete is welcome. Every program is free. And every donation helps create more opportunities for people with IDDs to compete, lead, grow, and belong.

Together, we can build a more inclusive Utah—one athlete, one opportunity, and one community at a time.

Learn more about Special Olympics Utah at sout.org.