Special Olympics National and World Games

2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai Conclude
Congratulations to the eight SOCO athletes and coaches who participated as part of Special Olympics Team USA for the 2007 World Summer Games! Welcome home! 

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 Special Olympics 2007 World Summer Games were held October 2-11 in Shanghai, China. Next up is the Special Olympics 2009 World Winter Games that will be held Febuary 2-13 in Boise, Idaho.

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 yet 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 will also provide a forum through which society at large can learn to accept and better understand people with intellectual disabilities.  More than 3,000 athletes from all 50 U.S. states met for six days of competition in 13 different sports around Iowa State University, Ames and the Central Iowa area. Ames was selected as the host site for The 2006 Special Olympics U.S. National Games from many potential host cities for a variety of reasons, including the strong support of the state, Special Olympics Iowa's Program and a large volunteer base. A major selling point was the athletic resources available on the Iowa State University campus, where competitions will be held.

More about the 2007 World Summer Games...

2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, People's Republic of China - October 2-11

Team USA - Colorado Delegation Results...
Click on the names below to see how SOCO athletes did in China:

Rayme Allen
Lorraine Grimm
Ken Jones
Bill Malone Jr.
Beth Pastercamp
Sondra Pozner
Bryan Terry
Florence Westervelt

Browse photo slide show and video highlights from the October 2nd Opening Ceremonies.

Watch taped video coverage on Good Morning America's webiste and check out additional coverage on ESPN.com!

Welcome to the Special Olympics 2007 Shanghai Live Web Experience. We are very pleased to present this website for you to learn more about the Special Olympics World Games and to follow your favorite athlete during his or her stay in Shanghai. You can also view stories of Special Olympics athletes training in their home countries prior to the Games within the Documentary Stories section and learn how the sports are played and more about Shanghai and China in the Infographics, 3D Models and Maps sections. Every athlete who participates in the Games has his or her own page showing competition videos in the Athletes section and you will find daily video and slide show highlights within the Event Coverage section.

The Special Olympics World Games is a wonderful chance for people of all cultures to gather and celebrate friendship, community and the wonderful benefits of sport. Shanghai is a wonderful place to host the events and we thank everyone who has volunteered to join us in celebrating our wonderful Special Olympics athletes.

To learn more about the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games click here.

To learn more about Team USA, click here.

Click here to cheer on our Colorado athletes!

Contact Us
For more information about the sports and competitions offered, please contact Chaka Sutton, VP of Programs, via email.