2015 World Summer Games: Relying on Social Media to Spread Awareness and Increase Participation

The highly anticipated 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games is right around the corner and with more participants and volunteers than ever, Special Olympics has made tremendous efforts to make this years' World Summer Games the most talked about, audience engaging Special Olympics event to date. How do we plan on doing this exactly? Well, our goal relies heavily on not only reaching audiences through social media, but inducing action. With 4.5 million athletes in 177 different countries, social media will be the most effective mode of communications between athletes and the general public.

Before delivering a call to action, we must first start the conversation. It is imperative that the voices of Special Olympic athletes are heard and acknowledged in 2015.

To aid in the conversation, Special Olympics has created content intended to bring attention to the barriers Special Olympians face due to disabilities and how these disabilities cause many to underestimate their ability. To draw attention to this issue, Special Olympics talked with hundreds of Special Olympians, family members, and volunteers to create "10 Things Special Olympians Wish you Knew". By sharing this post on Facebook and Twitter, millions of users will be able to gain insight and perspective about what Special Olympians value.

"10 Things Special Olympians Wish You Knew" acts as the general voice of Special Olympians, which initially captures the attention of the general public. However, Special Olympics will be encouraging athletes to share their personal Special Olympics stories with Facebook users with #MySpecialOlympicsStory. Facebook users all over the world will be able to hear the stories of millions of Special Olympians. Along with that, Special Olympics will be sharing #StoryOfTheWeek to highlight the most captivating stories.

Thats not all. A Public Service Announcement called "Don't Diss My Ability" has been created that urges the public to shift their focus from disability to ability. The PSA assures the audience that Special Olympians are talented, hard working athletes that are striving for acceptance. You can check out this PSA on our YouTube channel or on our website www.specialolympics.org

Once the voices of Special Olympians are heard and understood, there must be a call to action. The call to action is to encourage social media users to actively engage and become part of the conversation. Sharing, posting, hashtagging about the 2015 World Summer Games indicates support for the cause and Special Olympics has developed creative ways to get the general public to participate on social media.

The first step is to capture the excitement and intensity of the 2015 World Summer Games. To do this, we have created a sports highlight video called "Going for the Gold" that showcases the most memorable moments in Special Olympics history. Think of Michael Jordan, Game 6, or when the USA hockey team beat the Soviets in 1980, or David Tyree in the Superbowl against the Patriots. Those moments will live on in sports history forever for being the most captivating stories in sports history. Likewise, Special Olympics will compile the most significant moments in Special Olympics history to remind the public that these moments happen in Special Olympics as well. Check out our video here.

Next, How do we get the most amount of people to engage on Twitter? Start a Twitter War. That's right. All 177 countries will be competing in a worldwide Twitter War using country-specific hashtags (#SpecialOlympicsUSA, #SpecialOlympicsPeru). Special Olympics has announced that the country with the most mentions on Twitter will have the honor of lighting the torch at the 2015 World Summer Games. Talk about a chance for bragging rights.. You better start tweeting.

Our last engagement tactic is through Snapchat. Special Olympics has created an account in the "Discover" and "Live" features of snapchat. "Discover" will be used months prior to the event to countdown the days until the World Summer Games along with pictures and videos of athletes, parents, mentors, coaches, and volunteers preparing for the event. During the week of the event, Special Olympics will have a use the "Live" feature encouraging users to take pictures and video at the event to share with their friends. A filter is also being created for users to incorporate into their videos and pictures. With millions of snapchats already rolling in, we are expecting high amounts of participation.

Social media is to play a major role in promoting the 2015 World Summer Games. With the channels and strategies established, Special Olympics expects to see record-breaking impressions on social media. Get in on the action and follow our social media accounts listed below and don't forget to use the hastag #LA2015

Facebook: 2015 World Summer Games
Twitter: @SpecialOlympicsWSG
YouTube: www.youtube.com/specialolympicswsg
Snapchat: SpecialOlympics_WSG

10 Things Special Olympians Wish You Knew

With the 2015 Special Olympics World Games coming up in July, our organization decided to ask Special Olympic athletes and family members what they wish the general public knew about them. Here is what we gathered:

1.  They love to compete
That burning desire to win is imbedded in their hearts just like athletes without disabilities. Special Olympics taps into their new-found competitive attributes of Special Olympians and allows a safe environment for them to showcase their skill. Athletes normally aren't used to competing with athletes with similar disabilities, so when they join Special Olympics, their willingness to compete increases along with their competitiveness and self-confidence.

2.  The Opening Ceremony is very important to them

Much like the Olympics, the Opening Ceremony of Special Olympics events is a moment Special Olympians praise. It is in this moment that Special Olympians get a chance to shine and be recognized by their peers and spectators—that means a great deal to these athletes.

3.  They play to win

As stated before, Special Olympians love to compete—and just like every Olympian, they play to win. Placed in an environment with athletes with similar disabilities, Special Olympians quickly realize that they have greater opportunity to win. Recognition of this reality drives competitiveness and raises their confidence. Therefore when Special Olympians compete, winning is the focus of these athletes.

4.  They train hard

Being a Special Olympian isn't exactly a walk in the park. Athletes go through intensive training and practice throughout the year to prepare for events. Just like your coaches in high school, coaches in Special Olympics challenge Special Olympians to become better every day through conditioning and demonstration. Special Olympians push themselves and strive to get better every day.

5.  They like to learn and try new things

For many young athletes, Special Olympics allow them to explore various sports and luckily Special Olympics provides opportunity for athletes to attempt other sports. The sheer enjoyment Special Olympians get out of sport drives them to try new sports and discover new talents. Many athletes in Special Olympics perform in multiple sports and that is a result of the opportunity Special Olympians have to find a sport(s) that fit them.

6.  They are more motivated when there are bigger crowds

Special Olympians love to see spectators other than close family members at their events. Drawing a big crowd creates a feeling of excitement for Special Olympians and gives the a greater sense of importance. Whether you are friends with a Special Olympian at school, a distant relative, or even just a supporter, making time to watch one of their events means the world to Special Olympians. 

7.  They know the value of teamwork and sportsmanship

Just like the bonding athletes of all levels experience with teammates, Special Olympians value their teammates and teamwork. To some, their teammates are their closest friends. This goes as no surprise since Special Olympics places these athletes in environments where they feel equal and accepted. Although Special Olympians' competitive spirit are displeased after a loss, they have learned the value of sportsmanship and understand how noble it is to congratulate their opponent after a loss.

8.  They love to be recognized for their achievements

Receiving a medal or ribbon is one of the greatest honors for a Special Olympian. These moments give the athletes feelings of great achievement and reward. For some, they are not used to being acknowledged for winning a sport so this moment means a great deal to them. 

9.  They wish others would take them seriously as athletes

People assume that because Special Olympians have intellectual disabilities, that they are less talented and are not "real athletes". Special Olympians and observers would tell you otherwise. Special Olympians possess natural talent and can achieve remarkable feats. In a way, Special Olympic athletes have accomplished and persevered more than the "conventional" athlete. The amount of will and strength it takes to overcome disability and develop athletic ability that defy expectations. For that, Special Olympians deserve to be taken more seriously.

10. They are more similar to you than they are different

When characterizing Special Olympians, remember that they are more similar to conventional athletes than different. The competitive drive that drive athletes to succeed lies in the hearts of Special Olympians as well. These athletes go through rigorous training and conditioning, as all athletes do. They experience emotions, setbacks, and struggles just as all athletes do. Not to mention, their love of sports is match, if not, exceed that of athletes without disabilities. It's about time we start treating Special Olympics as our equal, not our lesser.