Special Olympics Sweden 

For a more active and healthier life.

Special Olympics Sweden is part of the Swedish Parasports Federation, offering recreational and grassroots sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Our goal is to provide everyone, regardless of ability, the chance to lead an active life. To achieve this, we organise regional, national, and international sports events. Additionally, we advocate for the benefits of inclusion and support sports clubs with both knowledge and the tools they need to develop their programmes for these athletes. In Sweden, there are over 10,000 Special Olympics athletes.

Driving development towards lasting change

Entrepreneurship and long-term commitment are central to our mission. The former is crucial for driving progress to meet current needs, while the latter ensures that the changes we achieve are sustainable.

This year, we launched our Family Programme, aimed at parents and relatives of children with intellectual disabilities. It has created a meeting place for families where sports are introduced as a fun, shared activity. We know that family involvement is essential for children, youth, and adults with intellectual disabilities to discover the joy of sports.

In our long-term efforts, strong partnerships are key. New sponsors have come on board, and existing agreements have been extended, enabling continued successful operations. The ongoing support of Sigma Group as our main sponsor is particularly important for our future development. By continuing to invite businesses, the sports movement, municipalities, politicians, and civil society to events, we build valuable networks and partnerships. As an example, this year we organised a national conference on sports and health for individuals with intellectual disabilities for the first time, with the aim of influencing policy to secure targeted resources.

The year in brief

This year has been eventful. We launched two new networks, released a children’s book, and saw one of our athletes, bowler Lisa Nordström Green, featured on Expressen’s 2024 Top 100 Women of the Year list.

We kicked off the year with the Special Olympics Winter Games in Östersund, where over 150 participants competed in three sports. Of these athletes, 25 have been selected to represent Sweden at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin next year.

When we launched the Family Programme, we organised two family camps, where families could meet, engage in sports together, and share experiences.

We continue with our School Days, which are very popular and there is great interest shown in these sports days. This year, even more students from special education schools had the opportunity to try different sports with local sports clubs.

Special Olympics Sweden 

Special Olympics Sweden is part of the Swedish Parasports Federation, offering recreational and grassroots sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Our goal is to provide everyone, regardless of ability, the chance to lead an active life. To achieve this, we organise regional, national, and international sports events. Additionally, we advocate for the benefits of inclusion and support sports clubs with both knowledge and the tools they need to develop their programmes for these athletes. In Sweden, there are over 10,000 Special Olympics athletes.

Yearbook 2024 /Involvement /Special Olympics Sweden 

Yearbook 2024 /Involvement /Special Olympics Sweden