Special Olympics has embraced the fact that the youth are the future of our movement. In 2018, 58% of athletes were ages 8-21 years old. That number includes Youth Unified Sports participation. Over 600,000 young people ages 8-25 have joined our inclusive sports movement as Unified Sports athletes and partners: more than a half-million strong!

We have also committed to developing youth leadership with the movement. Special Olympics is now powered by the energy of nearly 75,000 youth leaders ages 8-25 all around the world. We also count almost 400,000 youth volunteers who continue to spread the message of inclusion.