Not every athlete is the same. Some athletes face challenges in performing tasks that most of us take for granted. Arnold recognizes this and feels very strongly about supporting a cause that is very close to his heart, Special Olympics.
Since 1979, Arnold has served as the International Weight Training Coach of Special Olympics. He and his wife Maria have worked tirelessly in fundraising and volunteer duties for Special Olympics ever since.
What Is Special Olympics?
Special Olympics is an international program of year-round sports training and athletic competition for more than one million children and adults with mental retardation. The benefits of participation in Special Olympics for people with mental retardation include improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence, a more positive self-image, friendships, and increased family support. Special Olympics athletes carry these benefits with them into their daily lives at home, in the classroom, on the job, and in the community.
Families who participate become stronger as they learn a greater appreciation of their athletes' talents. Community volunteers find out what good friends the athletes can be. And everyone learns more about the capabilities of people with mental retardation. This commitment to participation is best summed up by the Special Olympics Oath: "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."
History Of Special Olympics 
Special Olympics began on July 20th, 1968, when Arnold's Mother-in-Law, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, organized the First International Special Olympics Games at Chicago's Soldier Field. The concept was born in the early 1960s when Mrs. Shriver started a day camp for people with mental retardation. She saw that people with mental retardation were far more capable in sports and physical activities than many experts thought. Since 1968, millions of children and adults with mental retardation have participated in Special Olympics.
Around the world, there are accredited Special Olympics programs in nearly 150 countries. In the United States, Special Olympics Chapters are established in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. About 25,000 communities in the United States have Special Olympics programs.
How Special Olympics Is Organized
There is a specific structure to the international program. Special Olympics provides year-round training and competition in 25 official sports. Special Olympics has developed and tested training programs that are outlined in a Sports Skills Guide for each sport. By assigning more than 140,000 qualified coaches to train Special Olympics athletes, Special Olympics gives every athlete a reasonable chance to win. Athletes from all divisions may advance to Chapter, National, and World Games. A volunteer board of directors determines international policies and is comprised of business and sports leaders, professional athletes, educators, and experts in mental retardation from around the world. Special Olympics is the only organization authorized by the International Olympic Committee to use "Olympics" worldwide.
Get Involved!
Special Olympics can always use the support of caring people who want to make sure that these remarkable participants have a safe and nurturing environment in which to compete. More than 500,000 coaches and volunteers organize and run local Special Olympics programs, serving as coaches, Games officials, drivers, and in many other capacities.
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Special Olympics
1325 G Street NW Ste
500 Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-628-3630
Fax: 202-824-0200
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Anyone can learn how to participate through the many training programs Special Olympics offers for coaches, officials, and volunteers. And, of course, Special Olympics couldn't do it without the gracious monetary contributions of donors around the world. If you would like to donate your time and effort as a volunteer, or would like to contribute financial support, please visit their website, at www.specialolympics.org
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