Unified sports are designed to contribute further to mainstreaming (normalizing) individuals with mental retardation by bringing together athletes with mental retardation and those without on the same team as equal partners. The equality among all of the teammates is enhanced when the teammates are similar in age and ability. Care should be taken to recruit athletes without mental retardation with similar ability levels as those athletes with mental retardation who play on the team.

Unified Sports is a unique and important program because it:

• Integrates athletes with and without mental retardation in a setting where all athletes are challenged to improve their skills.
• Provides a valuable sports opportunity to individuals with mental retardation who are not presently involved with Special Olympics: especially those with mild retardation, and those in communities where there are not enough Special Olympics athletes to conduct team sports:
• Prepares athletes with higher level skills for participation in school or community sports:
• Increases public awareness of the spirit and skills of individuals with mental retardation:
• Enables Special Olympics athletes' families to participate as team members or coaches on Unified Sports teams:
• And enables athletes to develop friendships and an understanding of each other's capabilities through a spirit of equality and team unity