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Special Olympics National and World Games
National Games
The first Special Olympics USA National Games were held in Ames, Iowa USA on July 2-7, 2006. With increased athlete participation, Special Olympics has an interest in creating more opportunities for competition, and a U.S. National Games was a natural next step in creating another occasion for Special Olympics athletes to celebrate their achievements. The size and the scope of this event makes it a wonderful opportunity to achieve the goal of Special Olympics — the empowerment of those with intellectual disabilities. This event also provides a forum through which society at large can learn to accept and better understand people with intellectual disabilities.
The Next National Games:
> 2010 National Games in Lincoln, Nebraska, July 18 - 23.
 The Numbers: 3,000 athletes, 1,000 coaches, 8,000 volunteers, 15,000 family and friends, more than 30,000 fans. Team Colorado will be comprised of 28 athletes and 7 coaches in the sports of Aquatics, Athletics, Bocce, Bowling, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Powerlifting and Tennis.
Past National Games:
> 2006 USA National Games in Ames, Iowa, July 2-7.
World Games
Since the first Special Olympics World Games were held in Chicago, Illinois, USA in July 1968, the event has grown to become one of the world's leading athletic events. Every two years, thousands of Special Olympics athletes from around the world come together to showcase their athletic skills and celebrate the spirit of Special Olympics. Alternating between Summer and Winter Games, the Special Olympics World Games is a world-class sporting event featuring intense competition and inspiring performances by the great athletes of Special Olympics.
The Next World Games:
> 2011 World Summer Games, Athens, Greece, June 25-July 4. The World Games, which promise to be one of the world's largest multi-sport and humanitarian events that year, will unite 7,500 athletes from more than 170 countries.
Past World Games:
> 2009 World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho, February 2-13. Two SOCO athletes participated.
> 2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai, Peoples Republic of China, October 2-11. Eight SOCO athletes participated.
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