This winter, students will participate in the winter Special Olympics of Virginia to increase representation of athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Special Olympics is the largest global sports non-profit organization for people with mental disabilities. They offer over 30 Olympic-style individual and team sports.
Senior activities director of Fairfax Special Olympics Veronica Jennings said she is excited to meet the participants.
“We love seeing all kinds of athletes show off their skills,” Jennings said.
The athletes will be competing with participants from Fairfax County, as well as Prince William and Loudoun Counties.
Special Olympics chairman Tim Shriver said the purpose of the Special Olympics is to enact change in the athletic community.
“We are here to lead a revolution,” Shriver said. “But it is not a violent […] or an angry […] or a vengeful revolution. We are here to lead a revolution [of inclusivity].”