Special Olympics Iran was formed in 1998 with the presence of Mr. Sargent Shriver, the Director of Special Olympics International in Iran. After two Iranians participated in the 1999 Special Olympics ceremony in the United States (North Carolina) and visited the Special Olympics headquarters and completed an orientation course, the official representative letter of Special Olympics Iran was issued for one year. In order to establish and implement Special Olympics programs in Iran, the Special Rehabilitation Institute for the Mentally Disabled of Iran was registered on 28/3/2002 under number 14044. Participation in the activities was followed up by holding several meetings of the Board of Trustees, which led the “Special Olympics International Organization” and the “Special Olympics Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region” to recognize Iran’s capabilities and allocate good quotas to Iran in all global and regional games, which is a success in achieving the lofty goals of the Islamic Republic of Iran in empowering non-governmental institutions and delegating affairs to non-governmental sectors according to Article 44 of the Constitution, especially in relation to the mentally disabled. Participation in Special Olympics activities for 14 years (from 2002 to the present) was not possible except with the coordination of governmental organizations and non-governmental institutions related to sports, rehabilitation, and the mentally disabled. Therefore, by repeatedly informing, inviting, and negotiating with the National Welfare Organization; the Organization for Exceptional Education; the Organization for Physical Education; the National Olympic Committee; The Ministry of Education's Sports Services Company, the University of Welfare Sciences and the Faculty of Rehabilitation of the Iran University of Medical Sciences, the Education and Training Teacher Training Centers, and fourteen non-profit organizations related to the mentally disabled have succeeded in activities that have allowed us to participate in all global and regional programs. In 2002, Special Olympics Iran officially became a member of the Special Olympics Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and has so far been able to participate in regional and global games in addition to serving more than 8,200 people with mental and intellectual disabilities (ID), by holding domestic and international training courses.

The activities of Special Olympics Iran, from the beginning of the presence of representatives of "Special Olympics International" until now, can be divided into several categories:

The period of familiarization and accreditation of Special Olympics Iran (1378-1381)

Sending two representatives to two courses of familiarization with Special Olympics in the United States Sending two representatives to the 10th World Summer Games in 1999 in Rally America Sending four people to participate in the meetings of the Regional Council, the meeting of the General Secretaries and Technical Directors of the Region to the UAE and Lebanon Sending nine people to training workshops on hockey, athlete health, Special Olympics supporters and system development in the countries of Lebanon, the UAE and Egypt Registration of the Iranian Institute for Special Rehabilitation of the Mentally Disabled

The period of participation of organs and organizations and participation in international games (2003-2005)

Participation in two World Summer and Winter Games in Ireland and Japan Participation in one Mena Region Games in Tunisia Sending three coaches to a coaching course in table tennis, football, and activities for the severely disabled in Morocco, Syria, and the UAE

The period of strengthening participation in international games (2006-2009)

Participating in two editions of the Mena Regional Games in Dubai and Abu Dhabi Participating in two editions of the Summer and Winter World Games in Shanghai, China and the United States Sending three people to innovation meetings in the Emirates Holding an international coaching course in 3 sports in Tehran

The era of consolidation and high presence of athletes in international games (2010-2012)

Requesting the Ministry of Interior to issue a license for the NGO's activities. Participation in two editions of the MENA Games with a population of over 100 people in Syria and Lebanon. Participation in the Athens Summer World Games with a population of 110 people. Expansion of activities in the five provinces of Tehran, Alborz, Qazvin, Semnan, and Golestan.

The period of launching and participating in scientific conferences and national games (2012-2016)

Holding 14 national conferences and games until 2015 Holding 6 national conferences and games in 2016 Participation in two Mena Regional Games in Dubai and Egypt Participation in the 2015 Los Angeles Summer World Championships with a total of 57 people Holding a conference to express appreciation and gratitude to all those involved since the beginning of the organization Holding the first national training conference for Special Olympics volunteers

The growth and maturity period of Iran's Special Olympics (1402-1395)