Does The Special Olympics Financially Exploit Their Athletes?

[Shell_Seas]

What are athletes supposed to do when they work for free and aren’t allowed to have sponsors?

https://livingbluetx.com/2021/04/special-olympics-financially-exploitation/

[Delarage]

1. I've volunteered for SODE for many years

Nope. I have nothing but great things to say about their program and their big events rely heavily on volunteers. They provide uniforms for the kids I've seen and I've never seen any kid have to clean up any venue after an event. I view it as mainly a volunteer event that focuses on community-building and empowerment. Not as a "professional" corporate sport raking in big bucks. I've never gotten a dime for any of my coaching and/or volunteering--and never would accept a dime for it. That's pretty much the vibe I get from everyone involved--and the staff are great and helpful.

Not sure at all what this article is trying to say, but it doesn't mesh with what I know about the Special Olympics in Delaware.

[abqtommy]

2. Thanks for your perspective.

[Shell_Seas]

3. Texas. It's the Texas chapter.

[Delarage]

4. I see

I have still never thought of Special Olympics as a professional sport or the athletes devoting that much time to it. I have only been involved in younger age groups with significant physical & cognitive disabilities....athletes who LOVED the opportunities the Special Olympics offered them to be on teams, make friends, etc. Sort of like being on the local softball team or whatever. Outside of Special Olympics, they were working on functional skills to survive day-to-day life---not missing out on college b/c they trained too much.

What that means, is just like any other professional athlete, Special Olympics athletes must train full time.