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Benefiting the World — That is the motivating factor behind Special Olympics' New York City Project .

With its unsurpassed status as an international media and financial center, New York City provides a unique platform for a pilot effort to enhance Special Olympics' urban-based sports training and competition programs for adults and children with intellectual disabilities. As the project unfolds, we will establish partnerships with schools, corporations, community organizations, and leaders in the private and public sectors . We will work to build and refine this collaborative approach to help fashion an innovative, viable global model for our urban-based programs worldwide.

Indeed, this project is both an exciting opportunity for New York and the first major step in Special Olympics' broader urban strategy. In the 21st century, Special Olympics will commit more and more resources to its urban programs throughout the world. It is critical that we do so because we have embarked on what can surely be called the “Urban Century.” By 2050, according to the United Nations, 6 billion people — two-thirds of the world population — will live in urban areas. A city is only as strong as the opportunities it creates for its most underserved residents, which includes persons with intellectual disabilities. This is why Special Olympics has committed itself to developing and implementing an urban strategy.

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Benefiting the World | Challenge the Urban Century | Transform your Community | Suceed to Benefit the World | Participate. Volunteer. Donate.