Difference between Special Olympics and Paralympics

Key Difference: Special Olympics and Paralympics are two different worldwide events. Like the Olympics, the Paralympics are a worldwide competition where athletes from all over the world and compete for gold, silver, or bronze place in their field. The Special Olympics, on the other hand, are hosted by the Special Olympics organization. Their events take place every day, all around the world. The goal here is not competition like in the Paralympics, but rather participation.

Special Olympics and Paralympics are two different worldwide events. Many people actually mistakenly think that they are two different names for the same event. At first glance it may seem like they are the same or at least similar, however that is not the case. They are two completely different events that are developed by two different organizations. The only similarity between then is that both events are for disabled athletes.

While the name may make it sound like the Special Olympics are associated with the Olympics, it is not true. The two are organized by different committees and are not interrelated. However, the Paralympics is the one that more closely associated with the Olympics. Though they are organized by different committees, i.e. Paralympic Games are organized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), whereas the Olympic Games are organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), they are nonetheless organized in tandem, and any country hosting the Winter or Summer Olympics, must also host the Winter or Summer Paralympics.

Like the Olympics, the Paralympics are a worldwide competition where athletes from all over the world and compete for gold, silver, or bronze place in their field. They only difference is that rather than be able-bodied, the athletes that participate in the Paralympics are affected by some disabilities. Hence, they are differently abled. Also like the Olympics, there is the Summer Paralympics and the Winter Paralympics which are scheduled every four years.

The Special Olympics, on the other hand, are hosted by the Special Olympics organization. Their events take place every day, all around the world. There are local, national and regional competitions, which in all add up to more than 108,000 events a year. The goal here is not competition like in the Paralympics, but rather participation. The Special Olympics hopes to help differently abled athletes through the focus and determination of sport, and hence also help train them throughout the year in order to get them ready for their respective events.

Another difference between the Special Olympics and Paralympics is that the Paralympics focuses mainly on athletes with physical disabilities, though there have been more events for people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics focuses on people with intellectual disabilities.

Comparison between Special Olympics and Paralympics:

	Special Olympics	Paralympics
Description	The world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions	A major international multi-sport event involving athletes with a range of disabilities
Founded	July 20, 1968	22 September 1989
Committee	The Special Olympics organization	International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
Countries	169 countries	105 active member countries
Olympics	Recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Not hosted in tandem with the Olympics	Recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Hosted in tandem with the Olympics
Supports Disabilities	Intellectual disabilities	A range of disabilities, primarily physical, including impaired muscle power (e.g. paraplegia and quadriplegia, muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome, spina bifida), impaired passive range of movement, limb deficiency (e.g. amputation or dysmelia), leg length difference, short stature, hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis, vision impairment and intellectual impairment.
Participation	Anyone with intellectual disabilities can participate in the events.	Only the best disabled or differently abled can participate in the events
Winning	Everyone gets participation awards. Everyone is a winner, the goal is not competition but participation	Only the best win, it is a competition
Events	Special Olympics competitions are held every day, all around the world—including local, national and regional competitions, adding up to more than 108,000 events a year.	Summer Paralympics and Winter Paralympics held even four years

Reference: Special Olympics, Wikipedia (Special Olympics and Paralympics),
Facebook (1, 2), Special Olympics Arkansas
Image Courtesy: specialolympics.org, twitter.com