The concept of Special Olympics began in the early 1960's when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for people with mental disabilities. Mrs. Shriver organized the first International Special Olympics games at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois in 1968 and it has been growing ever since. Future plans include an equestrian team by the summer of 2000.
Competition is available for athletes on a local, regional, and state level.
All Special Olympics local programs and agencies are organized into one of six larger areas. This regional area includes the far western counties of Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon and Swain. Athletes compete at age and ability level in a variety of athletic type sports. Local sport programs include alpine skiing, aquatics, bowling and track and field. SOCC will offer an equestrian program by this summer.