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Athletes
ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Special Olympics training and competition is open to every person who:
- Is at least eight years of age.
- Has been identified by an agency or professional as having an intellectual disability (mental retardation), or has a cognitive delay, as determined by standardized measures, or has a closely related developmental disability, which means having functional limitations in both general learning and in adaptive skills (such as in recreation, work, independent living, self-direction, or self-care).
- Has registered to participate in Special Olympics.
Participation in Special Olympics training and competition is open to all persons who meet all three criteria regardless of how mild or severe the person’s disability, and whether or not that person also has other mental or physical disabilities.
- Athletes who have physical disabilities but who do not have an intellectual disability are not eligible for Special Olympics.That is, persons whose functional limitations are based solely on physical, behavioral, or emotional disability or a specific learning or sensory disability are not eligible to participate as Special Olympics athletes. However, these individuals may be eligible to be Special Olympics Unified Sports Partners.
- These criteria are further explained in an Eligibility Flow Chart and a discussion of intellectual disability (mental retardation) and developmental disabilities.
- There is no maximum age limitation for participation in Special Olympics. The minimum age requirement for participation in Special Olympics competition is eight years of age. Children 6-7 years of age may participate in age-appropriate Special Olympics training programs but may not participate in Special Olympics competition or be awarded medals or ribbons associated with competition. Such children may be recognized for their participation through certificates of participation.
- All persons who meet the above criteria and wish to participate in Special Olympics training and/or competition must register with their local area program by completing the Combined Athlete Release and Participation Form 12-8-06* . Directions are included on the form.
- Additional instructions/information:
- Special Olympics Unified Sports Partners programs are offered in some areas. It is a special program wherein Special Olympians are teamed with athletes who do not have disabilities to form a unified sports team in some particular sport. The unified partner must complete a Unified Partner Application*.
- Athletes and Unified Partners must agree to the Athlete/Unified Code of Conduct.
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options for completing forms on this site:
1. After downloading it, simply print it and complete it by hand. Then sign it and submit it as appropriate.
2. After downloading it, complete the form on screen, print it out for signature, and submit it as appropriate. You can also save the completed form to your computer.
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