Special Olympics is an organized athletic competition--at the local, national, and international levels--for retarded children and adults. The program was created in 1968 utilizing funds from the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., Foundation. It has grown to include more than one million participants in the United States and 35 foreign countries. About 30 states have adopted the Winter Special Olympics. The first International Winter Special Olympics was contested in 1977 and attracted more than 500 participants.