Special Olympics believes unless an athlete is healthy, he or she cannot compete effectively in sports or life. Each year, tens of thousands of Special Olympics athletes receive health services through Special Olympics Programs around the world.

The Healthy Athletes® initiative is designed to help Special Olympics athletes improve their health and fitness, leading to an enhanced sports experience and improved well being. Athletes receive health services at Special Olympics competitions, while health care professionals learn about the health needs of Special Olympics athletes, gaining confidence in volunteering their skills to an underserved population.

Healthy Athletes Objectives

• Improve access and health care for Special Olympics athletes at event-based health screenings.
• Make referrals to local health practitioners when appropriate.
• Train health care professionals and students in the health professions about the needs and care of people with mental retardation.
• Collect, analyze and dessiminate data on the health status and needs of people with mental retardation
• Advocate for improved health policies and programs for person with mental retardation.

The Special Olympics Healthy Athletes initiative includes these disciplines: Fit Feet — podiatric screening and treatment; FUNfitness — comprehensive physical therapy component; Health Promotion — health and wellness (disease prevention) component; Healthy Hearing — audiological component; Opening Eyes® — quality vision screenings and eye health care; and Special Smiles® — dental screening, education and referrals.

Contact Information

Salma ElGhandour, Healthy Athletes Manager 
selghandour@specialolympics.org