Special Olympics and Paralympics are two separate organizations recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

Disability Criteria

Special Olympics is the world's largest year-round program of sports training and competition for individuals age 8 and older with intellectual disabilities. More than 2.25 million athletes in over 150 countries train and compete in 30 Olympic-type sports at local, state/provincial, national and World Games. It is the only organization given permission by the International Olympic Committee to use the word "Olympics."

The International Paralympic Committee is the international representative organization of elite sports for athletes with disabilities (primarily physical disabilities). IPC organizes, supervises and coordinates the Paralympic Games and other multi-disability competitions on the elite sports level (in 25 different sports), of which the most important are world and regional championships. It is an international nonprofit organization formed and run by 160 National Paralympic Committees and five disability-specific international sports federations.

Ability Levels and Athletic Competition

Special Olympics involves athletes from all ability levels with participation from the full range of intellectual disability. In order to assure fair competition, Special Olympics athletes are placed in "divisions" with other athletes of similar ability. Each division is a "final" allowing all athletes a fair opportunity to compete with a chance to win. This system is designed to challenge each athlete to do his or her best, while providing a meaningful and enjoyable experience.

The Paralympics involves athletes from six disability groups who compete only on the elite sports level. As in mainstream sports competition, athletes who do not meet qualifying standards may not compete, and those who are competing may lose in preliminary play. The mainstream philosophy of sport is applied, facilitating competition to determine the "best" athlete or team.