Who Can Participate In Special Olympics?

Individuals are eligible for Special Olympics provided they meet the following criteria:

Athletes must be 8 years of age or older (there is no upper age limit) and identified as having an intellectual disability or a closely related developmental disability. They do not need to be knowledgeable about sports or have prior athletic experience.

Children from ages 2 1/2 to-7 years of age can participate in the Young Athletes Program which introduces children with intellectual disabilities and their families to the world of Special Olympics by pursuing the following goals:

• Engage children with intellectual disabilities through developmentally appropriate play activities designed to foster physical, cognitive, and social development;
• Welcome family members of children with intellectual disabilities to the Special Olympics network of support;
• Raise awareness about the abilities of children with intellectual disabilities through inclusive peer participation, demonstrations and other events.