The Young Athletes Program is a training program, which aims to integrate new, young persons in the world of sports and especially in the Special Olympics family.

The program is designed for kids:

with intellectual disabilities aged 2-7 years old

The objective of the Young Athletes program is to:

Improve the physical and social development of young children through play activities

Welcome new family members with intellectually disabled children in the Special Olympics movement

Raise awareness of children with intellectual disabilities

Prepare children to integrate in the official training programs of Special Olympics, when they reach the age of 8

Basic information about the "Young Athletes" program during the Special Olympics World Summer Games- ATHENS 2011:
When: During the SOWSG - ATHENS 2011
Where: GOUDI Park
Duration: 1 day
Participants: 60 children with intellectual disabilities aged 2-7 years old from special schools and foundations of Attica

The program is designed in such a way that children, according to their age, ability level, and gender can pass through a series of activities including:

Coordination skills

Walking & running

Balance & jumping

Throwing & trapping

Rolling

Striking

Kicking