Special Olympics is for people with intellectual disability. However, some athletes have physical impairments and may use wheelchairs or other apparatus.

To be eligible to participate in Special Olympics, an athlete must be at least 8 years of age and indentify by an agency or professional as having one of the following conditions: Intellectual disability, cognitive delays as measured by formal assessment, or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay that has required specially designed instruction.

Special Olympics involves athletes from all ability levels who have intellectual disabilities. A very small percentage of Special Olympics athletes also have physical disabilities. In order to assure fair competition, Special Olympics athletes are placed in “divisions” with other athletes of similar ability. Each division is a “final” allowing all athletes a fair opportunity to compete with a chance to place first or win. This system is designed to challenge each athlete to do his or her best while providing a meaningful and enjoyable experience.

Special Olympics athletes have the opportunity to participate in Special Olympics year – round. While World Games happen every two years, alternating between summer and winter Games (similar to the Olympics), more than 30.000 local competitions happen in communities around the world annually.

One must be at least 8 years of age to participate in Special Olympics sports training and competition. In addition, Special Olympics has introduced the Young Athletes™ program, which provides sports skills opportunities to children between 2-1/2 and 7.

The skills Special Olympics athletes learn on the playing field carry into their everyday lives, helping athletes hold jobs, live independently and be thriving citizens in their communities. Athletes also gain self-confidence through their achievements which help them excel in life.

Special Olympics and the International Olympic Committee are two separate organizations. A protocol agreement has been signed between the two organizations. Special Olympics is the only organization officially authorized by the International Olympic Committee to use the word “Olympics” in its proper name.

Many Special Olympics national Programs have excellent working relationships with their respective National Olympic Committees. Many well-known Olympic athletes, such as Nadia Comaneci, Bart Conner, Scott Hamilton, Donna DeVarona, Yao Ming, Michelle Kwan, Carl Lewis, Michael Phelps, Sam Perkins, Gabriela Szabo, Billy Kidd, Haile Gebreselassie and Pauline Davis Thompson, support Special Olympics.

Special Olympics and Paralympics are two separate organizations recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

Special Olympics involves athletes from all ability levels who have intellectual disabilities. A very small percentage of Special Olympics athletes also have physical disabilities. The Paralympics involves athletes from six disability groups who compete only on the elite sport level. As in mainstream sport competitions, athletes who do not meet qualifying standards may not compete and others who are competing may lose in preliminary play. The mainstream philosophy of sport is applied, which facilitates competition to determine the “best” athlete or team.