Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in Special Olympics, athletes must be at least
8 years old and identified by an agency or professional as having one of the
following conditions: intellectual disability; a cognitive delay as determined
by standardized measures such as intelligence quotient or other generally accepted
measures; or a closely related development disability, i.e., functional limitations
in both general learning and adaptive skills. There is no cost to participate
in Special Olympics. All prospective athletes must register to participate in
Special Olympics.
Age Requirements
There is no maximum age limitation for participation in Special Olympics. The
minimum age requirement for participation in Special Olympics competition is
8 years of age. For children with intellectual disabilities ages 2 through 7,
Young Athletes strengthens physical development and self-esteem by building
skills for future sports participation and socialization.
Identifying
Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
In the context of Special Olympics, the term "intellectual disabilities"
is a synonym for mental retardation. Therefore, Special Olympics uses the definition
of intellectual disabilities/mental retardation provided by the World Health
Organization (WHO), the United Nations' specialized agency for health. According
to the WHO, intellectual disability is a condition of arrested or incomplete
development of the mind characterized by impairment of skills and overall intelligence
in areas such as cognition, language, and motor and social abilities. Intellectual
disability can occur with or without any other physical or mental disorders.
Although reduced level of intellectual functioning is the characteristic feature
of this disorder, the diagnosis is made only if it is associated with a diminished
ability to adapt to the daily demands of the normal social environment. (Visit
www.who.int for more information.)
A person is considered to have an intellectual disability for purposes of determining
his or her eligibility to participate in Special Olympics if that person satisfies
any one of the following requirements:
The person has been identified by an agency or professional as having an intellectual
disability as determined by their localities; or
The person has a cognitive delay, as determined by standardized measures such
as intelligent quotient or "IQ" testing or other measures that are
generally accepted within the professional community in that Accredited Program's
nation as being a reliable measurement of the existence of a cognitive delay;
or
The person has a closely related developmental disability. A "closely related
developmental disability" means having functional limitations in both general
learning (such as IQ) and in adaptive skills (such as in recreation, work, independent
living, self-direction, or self-care). However, persons whose functional limitations
are based solely on a physical, behavioral, or emotional disability, or a specific
learning or sensory disability, are not eligible to participate as Special Olympics
athletes, but may be eligible to volunteer for Special Olympics as partners
in Unified Sports®, if they otherwise meet the separate eligibility requirements
for participation in Unified Sports set forth in the Sports Rules.
Degree of Disability
Participation in Special Olympics training and competition is open to all persons
with intellectual disabilities who meet the age requirements, regardless of
the level or degree of that person's disability, and whether or not that person
also has other mental or physical disabilities, so long as that person registers
to participate in Special Olympics as required.
Multiple Handicaps
Persons who have multiple handicaps may participate in Special Olympics provided
they are eligible as noted above.
Profound Disabilities
Individuals with profound disabilities can participate through Special Olympics
Motor Activities Training Program (MATP), developed by physical educators, physical
therapists and recreation therapists. MATP emphasizes training and participation
rather than competition.
 
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