History

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History of Special Olympics

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SPECIAL OLYMPICS ZIMBABWE (SOZ) is part of a global movement that offers sports to people with intellectual disabilities being part of Special Olympics Africa region and Special Olympics International which caters for over 6 million athletes thought the world. This group is usually marginalised from mainstream sport due to their disabilities hence a specific movement was started in America in 1997 by Mrs Eunice Kennedy Shriver. It provides all year-round sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families and other Special Olympics athletes and the community. The movements has its own platforms for sport competition at country, regional and international level.

Special Olympics Zimbabwe (SOZ) a registered PVO and member of Sport and Recreation Commission was registered in the country 1987. It has played a major role in identifying and advocating for children and adults with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) throughout the country using sport as an entry point. However, the reach has not gone as far and as wide as expected as research from WHO indicates that 3 % of a given population has ID. As a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in September 2013, the Republic of Zimbabwe has worked consistently to implement the Convention’s core tenants and bring to life a range of reforms designed to support individuals with all abilities. We are helping to make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place—one athlete, one volunteer, one family member at a time.

Special Olympics Zimbabwe: Beyond the Sidelines, Into the Spotlight.

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