As one of the world's most popular sports, basketball is a big favorite in Special Olympics.
Athletes learn teamwork while improving their athletic ability.
Special Olympics basketball includes over 69,000 athletes in every US program and 40 countries. As in all Special Olympics sports, basketball teams are grouped in competition divisions according to the athletes' ability level, age and gender. Basketball was first contested at the 1968 Special Olympics World Games. By the 1995 World Games almost 600 athletes from 40 countries entered the competition. Additionally, almost 100 athletes competed in individual skills contest events.