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Ebiba Judo Club
SON, Chiba Funabashi City Judo PG
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What is Special Olympics?
Special Olympics (hereinafter referred to as "SO") is an international sports organization that provides various sports training and competitions where people with intellectual disabilities can demonstrate their achievements. SO is a non-profit organization run by volunteers and philanthropic donations. In SO, people with intellectual developmental disabilities who participate in these sports activities are called "athletes." In Japan, various sports are held throughout the year in all 47 prefectures. The name "Olympics" is derived from the official name "Olympics" (IOC), and the plural "S" is added to reflect the fact that it is not limited to competitions, but includes a variety of activities throughout the year, from everyday sports training to world championships, all around the world.
Here we will introduce you to SO. If you know this, you too can become an SO expert!
Special Olympics Mission
The SO's mission is to provide year-round training and competition opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a variety of Olympic-level sports, providing ongoing opportunities for participating athletes to improve their health, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and share their talents, skills, and friendships with their families, other athletes, and the community.
The goal of Special Olympics
- To not only improve athletes' health, physical fitness and skills, but also to foster their social skills through interactions with many people.
- Through proper guidance and encouragement, athletes will improve and develop their sense of independence.
- Volunteers who participate in the activities will learn a lot through their interactions with athletes.
History of the Special Olympics
1962
The Special Olympics (SO) began when Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of the late U.S. President Kennedy, opened the garden of her home to host a day camp. Her sister, Rosemary, had intellectual disabilities.
1968
With the support of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, it was organized, became the Special Olympics, and spread throughout the United States and around the world.
1988
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Committee concluded a protocol recognizing the use of the name "Olympic" and mutual activities, and the organization continues to operate to this day. Its headquarters are currently located in Washington, D.C., USA. Currently, activities are carried out in over 170 countries.
Special Olympics Nippon Glossary
Athletes (A), Family (F), Volunteers (V), Coaches (C)... "Athletes" refers to the "players" in SO activities. "Family" refers to the family members of athletes. "Volunteers" refers to those who participate in and cooperate with activities. "Coaches" refers to those who provide guidance for activities. "Coaches" require qualifications, but other people do not need special qualifications and can simply attend the membership briefing. Athletes must be 6 years of age or older.
Program (PG): This refers to the type of activity. In Chiba Prefecture, in addition to judo, there are basketball, track and field, soccer, table tennis, volleyball, bowling, swimming, floor hockey (winter sport), snowshoeing (winter sport), and English conversation.
*Only those who are registered for the Sports PG can participate in the Culture PG (English conversation, etc.).
地区と地区大会・・・各都道府県の単位を「地区」と呼称します。例えば千葉県→千葉地区，東京都→東京地区，北海道→北海道地区のような感じです。それぞれの地区で「地区大会」という大会が行われます。これは，その地区のみで開催する場合もあれば，近隣都道府県に声をかけて，規模を広めて開催することもあります。
National Games and World Games (NG and WG) - The National Games are what is commonly referred to as the "national tournament." Each prefecture is also called a "district" (e.g., Chiba Prefecture → Chiba District, Tokyo → Tokyo District, etc.). The World Games, as the name suggests, refers to the "world tournament." The National Games are the qualifiers for the World Games.