The mission of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes, developed in 1996, is to improve athletes' ability to train and compete in Special Olympics. Healthy Athletes is designed to help Special Olympics athletes improve their health and fitness, leading to enhanced sports experience and improved well-being.
The Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Initiative includes these disciplines:
During a Healthy Athletes event, Special Olympics athletes receive a variety of health screenings and services in a series of clinics conducted in a welcoming, fun environment. Health care professionals and students are trained to provide the screenings in an effort to educate the professional community about the health needs and abilities of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Athletes must complete a Special Olympics Minnesota Healthy Athletes Consent Form (PDF) in order to participate with a Healthy Athletes screening. Athletes can either turn it in a the Healthy Athletes screening or mail this completed form to:
Special Olympics Minnesota
100 Washington Avenue South
Suite 550
Minneapolis, MN 55401
2011 Summer Games Healthy Athletes Results
Fit Feet 2011
166 athletes screened
16% of competition 2010
no event
Healthy Hearing 2011
230 athletes screened
22% of competition
88 referred for follow-up treatment 2010
236 athletes screened
23% of competition
92 referred for follow-up treatment
Health Promotion 2011
319 athletes screened
31% of competition 2010
254 athletes screened
24% of competition
Opening Eyes 2011
451 athletes screened
43% of competition
130 pairs of prescription glasses
45 pairs of prescription sport goggles
79 pairs of sunglasses
22 athletes referred for follow-up treatment 2010
399 athletes screened
38% of competition
90 pairs of prescription glasses
13 pairs of prescription sport goggles
28 pairs of sunglasses
90 athletes referred for follow-up treatment
Special Smiles 2011
373 athletes screened
36% of competition
9 referred for urgent follow-up care 2010
343 athletes screened
33% of competition
16 non-urgent referrals
5 urgent referrals
Diabetes Screening 2011
407 people screened
37 people had an elevated blood glucose level (141-199) 2010
331 people screened
66 people had a high level and 1 person with low level
Healthy Athletes Objectives
The key objectives of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes are:
Improve access and health care for Special Olympics athletes at event-based health screenings and 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 intellectual disabilities.
Collect, analyze and disseminate data on the health status and needs of people with intellectual disabilities.
Advocate for improved health policies and programs for person with intellectual disabilities.
The success of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes events depends on partnering. Special Olympics program staff support the work of trained Healthy Athletes volunteers to provide even based health opportunities for athletes. Event managers create an environment for positive interaction between health care professionals, other volunteers, and Special Olympics athletes and their families. Products, equipment and cash donations from local, national and international companies help to support the program. Financial support of governmental and philanthropic sponsors helps the program grow. Support of the volunteer opportunities offered by Special Olympics Healthy Athletes provides ongoing community network for improved access to health care for Special Olympics athletes — creating a legacy of care.
Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Initiative
The "A New Paradigm for the Delivery of Health and Wellness Services for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities" poster was presented at the AAMR annual meeting, June 1-4, 2004. Download poster (PDF)
The Special Olympics booklet "Are You A Healthy Athlete?" was selected as a winner in the prestigious 10th annual National Health Information Awards. Authored by Special Olympics athletes Kester Edwards and Renee Dease, it’s designed to educate Special Olympics athletes on being and staying healthy and to encourage participation in Healthy Athletes screenings. Download "Are You a Healthy Athlete?" booklet (PDF)
