Special Olympics has been changing the lives of people with disabilities and society’s attitudes towards them for over half a century. Over the years, more than three million people from 180 countries have become participants in the Special Olympics movement. Besides giving these individuals a chance to participate in something as great as this, the founders were able to prove that regular physical training and participation in competitions help mentally disabled people acquire skills that provide opportunities for gradual adaptation to real-life conditions and integration into society.
It all started with a private summer camp for children and youth with intellectual disabilities set up by Eunice Kennedy Shriver (President Kennedy’s sister) in the early 1960s. The camp served as a basis for future Special Olympics competitions and a way to stand up to injustice. The key focus was the involvement of these individuals in sports and other active recreation. Her ideas were developed and led to the emergence of the Special Olympics movement around the world. The first international Special Olympics Games were held in Chicago in 1968. The Special Olympics charitable organization was set up by the end of the year. In 1988, at the XV Winter Olympics, the President of the International Olympic Committee signed an agreement with Eugene Kennedy-Shriver, according to which the Special Olympics received the right to use the word “Olympics” in its name. Since its birth, the organization established a presence in numerous countries around the world.
What is Special Olympics?
The Special Olympics is the largest inclusive sporting event in the world. It is an international movement that strives to involve people with disabilities in active social life. Apart from the Olympic Games, it is the only sporting movement that is allowed to use the name “Olympic Games”.
The logo consists of the words “Special Olympics” in a bold, clear typeface and a globe formed from human silhouettes. The font is italicized and has unique, pointed terminals that resemble fine serifs and give it a unique look. As for the globe above the inscription, it features silhouettes of humans with six hands. There are a total of five of them and they are as if hugging the planet and creating and closed circle around it. Such creative illustration not only shows that the organization promotes unity across the globe, but also its focus on acceptance, inclusion, and empowerment for individuals with intellectual disabilities through sports.
The logo uses a font that features a bold, oblique style with sharp, angular edges and a futuristic appearance. Its unique look reflects the unique needs and abilities of the individuals it represents. The font resembles Serpentine Std Bold Oblique font.
The vibrant red color of the emblem creates an energetic and uplifting impression, embodying the values of courage, joy, and community. It is also a perfect match for a sports organization as the color stands for strength, energy passion, and excitement.
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