What are the Special Olympics World Games?
The Special Olympics World Games are the flagship event of the Special Olympics movement — the global games for athletes with intellectual disabilities, held in alternating Summer and Winter editions. Santiago 2027 will welcome more than 6,000 athletes and Unified partners from over 170 countries across 22 sports — the first World Games in the Southern Hemisphere.[1] [2]
Who organizes the Special Olympics World Games?
Special Olympics International, founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, owns the Games and authorizes each edition to a host committee. The organization is recognized by the IOC, which has granted it the exclusive right to use the word "Olympics" in its name.[1] [3]
When and where are they held?
World Summer and Winter Games alternate on a roughly two-year rhythm: Berlin hosted the 2023 Summer Games, Turin the 2025 Winter Games, and Santiago, Chile hosts the next Summer Games, 15–23 October 2027.[1] [2]
Since when do they exist?
The first International Special Olympics Summer Games were held in Chicago in 1968, launching a movement that today reaches millions of athletes with intellectual disabilities in more than 190 countries.[3]
How do athletes take part?
Participation runs through national Special Olympics programs, which nominate athletes to World Games delegations. Rather than qualification by performance ranking alone, Special Olympics uses divisioning: athletes are grouped by ability so competition is meaningful at every level, and Unified Sports events pair athletes with and without intellectual disabilities.[3] [1]
Why do the Special Olympics World Games matter?
They are the largest global sporting event for people with intellectual disabilities and one of the world's biggest humanitarian sporting gatherings — with heads of state, global broadcast coverage and delegations from most of the world's nations. Selection to a national delegation is a significant distinction within each country's program.[2] [3]
Who competes?
Athletes with intellectual disabilities and Unified partners nominated by national Special Olympics programs — 6,000+ expected in Santiago from more than 170 countries.[1] [2]
References
- Special Olympics — Santiago, Chile will host the 2027 World Games. Accessed August 2026.
- Santiago 2027 — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- Special Olympics — World Games. Accessed August 2026.