More than 2,200 athletes participate in Special Olympics Utah. The state is divided along geographical and county lines into six Area programs. Each Area is administered to by an Area Coordinators, who are supervised by staff members from the SOUT state office. This grass-roots supervision results in excellent competition, training, fund raising, finances, out-reach, public education and volunteer recruitment at the local level. In an Area program, athletes are enrolled and trained by volunteer coaches. SOUT operates out of headquarters, conveniently located on the TRAX city transit line, in Salt Lake City.
Special Olympics is an unprecedented global movement which, through quality sports training and competition, improves the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and, in turn, the lives of everyone they touch. Special Olympics empowers people with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential and develop their skills through year-round sports training and competition. As a result, Special Olympics athletes become fulfilled and productive members of their families and the communities in which they live. Special Olympics is an experience that is energizing, healthy, skillful, welcoming and joyful.
Today Special Olympics stands as a leader in the field of intellectual disabilities and has sharpened the focus on its mission as not just “nice” but critical, not only as a sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities, but also as an effective catalyst for social change. Children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics Utah exhibit boundless courage, enthusiasm, and enjoy the rewards of friendship and ultimately discover not only abilities and talents but “their voices” as well.
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