Abstract

Over five million athletes with intellectual disability (ID) currently participate in Special Olympics (SO) worldwide with the broader aim of promoting their inclusion in society. The public’s knowledge of SO was determined in 17 selected countries globally and the characteristics of those most actively involved identified. Online, self-completion surveys were completed by 36,508 nationally representative respondents. Around 1 in 7 people globally reported an active involvement with SO and a further third were aware of it through the media. Engagement was greater among respondents who had experience in volunteering, playing sports and frequent personal contact with people with ID. Only one quarter of respondents correctly distinguished SO from Paralympics and the Olympic Games. There is scope to make the public more aware of, and better informed about SO. Further research examines the relationships between engagement with SO and public attitudes towards the inclusion of persons with ID in wider society.

摘要

目前，全球有超过 500 万名智障 (ID) 运动员参加特奥会 (SO)，其更广泛的目标是促进他们融入社会。在全球 17 个选定的国家确定了公众对 SO 的了解，并确定了最积极参与的国家的特征。36,508 名具有全国代表性的受访者完成了在线自我完成调查。全球约有七分之一的人表示积极参与 SO，另有三分之一的人通过媒体了解到这一点。参与过志愿服务、参加体育运动并经常与 ID 患者进行个人接触的受访者的参与度更高。只有四分之一的受访者正确地将 SO 与残奥会和奥运会区分开来。有空间让公众更加了解，并更好地了解 SO。进一步的研究考察了参与 SO 与公众对将 ID 患者纳入更广泛社会的态度之间的关系。