Area Eleven Special Olympics

We partner with Area Eleven South Carolina Special Olympics to offer programs to athletes in our community. Area Eleven Special Olympics has served athletes from York, Chester and Lancaster counties since 1968, providing opportunities for sports training and event competition to those with intellectual disabilities.  Area Eleven is a volunteer based organization and welcomes volunteers and sponsors for its athletes.

The Mission of Special Olympics

“Let me win. But, if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities, giving them opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. World wide, there are more than one million Special Olympics athletes representing 160 countries. South Carolina has over 15,000 athletes training on a year-round basis.

Sports Training

Throughout the year, athletes train for specific sports events under the guidance of volunteer coaches. Some sports have unified teams where non-disabled partners form a team with disabled athletes and compete in sports such as unified soccer and unified golf. Area Eleven participants have the opportunity to train and compete in traditional and unified sports on the local, state, national and international levels.

Spring Games

Spring Games are held in March or April at Cherry Park bringing Special Olympics athletes from our community together to compete in track and field events.  Many volunteers are needed to run events, present awards and cheer on the participants.  Contact us at 803-329-5652 for information on volunteering.