Special Olympics-Westmoreland County started in 1969 with 37 athletes
and today
Over 600 athletes, ages 8 and up train and compete
in
Ten sports including alpine skiing, basketball bowling, cycling,
golf, nordic skiing, softball, swimming, track and field and volleyball
with the help of
800 volunteers and 100 coaches who total
over
10,000 hours annually in volunteer time
because
Intellectual disabilities affect approximately two and a half to
three percent of the U.S. population and
One in every ten American family is effected by mental retardation.
There is never a charge to the athlete or family to train and compete
although
The local program is totally self-funded depending on donations from
individuals, community foundations and the business community.
