The "Special" Olympics is dumb

[c172]

Special Olympics has a place in society. However, people get confused and think that Special Olympics IS disabled sports. S.O. just covers the intellectually disabled, some of whom also happen to have physical disabilities. At least that's what their stated demographic is. For those of us that do not have the intellectual impairment, there are other things, like WASUSA (Wheelchair and Ambulatory Sports USA). I was part of this as a teen, when it was actually called the NWAA (National Wheelchair Athletic Association) back at the turn of the 90's. There are also sports specific associations such as the USQRA (quad rugby). All of these can be seen as a small stepping stone to the Paralympics, which is completely different than Special Olympics.

At that time, to be up on the world of physically disabled sports, I subscribed to Sports and Spokes magazine, which does not generally cover Special Olympics.

I agree with the OP that it is patronizing to be lumped in with the mentally impaired. The head patting, the pet names when there should be "sir" and "ma'am" just like in general society. But S.O. may have good reason to be bestowing medals on all its participants. Many mentally impaired do not understand losing and winning. The other sporting bodies I just mentioned don't do any of that. 3rd place yields a bronze, etc.

http://pvamag.com/sns/ Sports n' Spokes magazine
http://wasusa.org/ WASUSA (Wheelchair and Ambulatory Sports USA)
http://www.usqra.org U.S. Quad Rugby Assn.
http://disability.illinois.edu/athletics University of Illinois disabled sports (Urbana/Champaign)