The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also recognizes Special Olympics International, which is an American group that organizes sporting events for athletes with intellecual disabilities. Originally, Special Olympics began as an American sports festival, but it has expanded and now includes international events as well, highlighted by the Special Olympic World Games, which are also held in both Summer and Winter Versions. The Special Olympic World Games began in 1968 in Chicago, while the Special Olympics World Winter Games began in 1977 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The Special Olympic World Games are now held in odd-numbered years, with the most recent, 2015, held in Los Angeles, California, USA, while the Special Olympic World Winter Games are held in even-numbered years, with the most recent, 2014, held in PyeongChang, Korea.