Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) is a non-profit organisation and the largest provider of year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities (also known as learning disabilities). Offering both summer and winter sports, the organisation provides opportunities for individuals of all abilities to participate, develop and achieve through sport.

With a structured competition pathway that supports athlete development from local events through to international competition, Special Olympics GB focuses on ability rather than disability. It creates opportunities for athletes to compete with others of similar ability, both across Great Britain and on the international stage, enabling them to fulfil their potential in an inclusive and supportive environment.

Special Olympics GB is far more than a sports organisation—it is a catalyst for positive, lifelong change. Through sport, athletes build friendships, develop social skills, strengthen their confidence and self-esteem, and become part of a supportive community. Participation also promotes physical fitness, mental wellbeing, resilience, courage, and a sense of achievement, while creating opportunities to experience joy, pride and, above all, fun. These positive outcomes extend beyond the athletes themselves, enriching the lives of their families and the wider communities that support them.

The first organised sessions for youngsters with learning disabilities were set up by George Keith in the 1990’s. He managed to bring together a dozen or so keen players and coached them, along with Harry Vine, to maximise their potential. Among them were Alex Rae and Stephen Welsh who have gone on to take part in major Special Olympics events. George organised matches against similar groups from Dundee and Glasgow, with everyone travelling by bus or train to the venues. This continued until his untimely death in 2019 at the age of 77.

Scotland loses a very able GB Paralympian

In the interview for Special Olympics Great Britain, Alex said:

I was terrible at school; I was always in trouble in class. And then I got into sport. I think what mum was looking for is trying to get me to do something, stop being under her feet.

Sport has given me the independence, but it’s also given me discipline as well. That’s where I met George. I was nine years old. George was a good coach and he was a good friend. He would always try to get the word out about the Special Olympics. He was always so passionate about disabled sport.

I decided I wanted to be a coach when George was teaching me. I think he would be very proud of the way I’ve done things. I’m proud of everything that I’ve done as an athlete. And winning two silver medals in Berlin, representing your country was just absolutely mind boggling. And since then, I’ve learned to find my voice more and more, and speak more.

I’d like to find another nine-year-old like myself. Develop them, coach them, mature them and get them into Special Olympics. And show the passion. And show them love. Give us a platform, let us shine.

Special Olympics Summer Games 2026, Crewe, England

Intellectual disabilities (ID) or learning disabilities is a term used when a person has certain limitations in cognitive functioning and skills, including communication, social and self-care skills.

Intellectual disabilities originate from a wide range of health conditions. Having intellectual disabilities means that the brain has developed differently during childhood and adolescence. This will result in lowered cognitive abilities (intelligence) and impaired adaptive behaviour.  These are the skills needed to manage everyday life such as communication, social relationships and self-care skills.

A significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills (impaired intelligence) with a reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social functioning) which started before adulthood, with a lasting effect on development

Source: Department of Health (2001) Valuing People

Many people with intellectual disabilities also have autism, so can be eligible for Special Olympics GB.  However, some people with autism do not have intellectual disabilities and so are not eligible to be part of Special Olympics GB.

People who do not have intellectual disabilities but do have conditions such as specific learning difficulties (e.g. Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Attention Deficit Disorder), or mental health issues (e.g. depression, psychosis) or physical/sensory conditions (e.g. visual impairment, spinal cord injury) are not eligible to complete in Special Olympics GB.

However, the majority of people with intellectual disabilities also have other health conditions, including, physical, sensory and psychological, which means that many people competing in Special Olympics GB, will have additional disabilities as well as intellectual disabilities.

Please note: Children aged 6 – 7 may be involved in a Special Olympics training programme, but may not enter official competitions. Our Young Athlete programme is available to children between the ages of 2-7.