Special
Olympics offers 30 Olympic-type individual and team sports that provide meaningful
training and competition opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities,
including age-appropriate activities and activities for lower ability athletes.
For persons with severe limitations who do not yet possess the physical and/or
behavioral skills necessary to participate in these sports, Special Olympics
also offers the Motor Activities Training Program (MATP).
Participation
in Special Olympics' year-round sports training and athletic competition is
open to anyone with intellectual disabilities ages 8 and older. For children
with intellectual disabilities ages 2 through 7, see the Special Olympics Families
section of this Web site for information on the Young Athletes™ program. Programs
are designed to serve all ability levels, and there is no charge to participate.
Special Olympics Unified Sports® brings together athletes with and without intellectual
disabilities to train and compete together. Unified Sports includes virtually
all Special Olympics sports, and Unified Sports competitions are an important
part of Special Olympics World Games, as well as local, state/provincial and
National Games.
* Official, Recognized or Locally Popular Sports are those that Special Olympics
authorizes for inclusion in training and competition programs after determining
that the sport will enhance the year-round aspect of sports training and competition
fundamental to Special Olympics, and provides meaningful opportunities for persons
with intellectual disabilities, including age-appropriate activities, activities
for lower ability athletes, etc.
 
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