Alternating between summer and winter, the Special Olympics World Games are one of the world's largest sporting events, drawing as many if not more athletes than the Olympics. Every two years since 1968, athletes from more than 100 nations have gathered to celebrate sport and showcase the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. This prominent world stage brings attention to the Special Olympics movement and helps create positive, sometimes life-saving policy change for people with intellectual disabilities in countries around the world.

The 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games were held in Athens, Greece June 25 through July 4.