Become a Special
Olympics Athlete
As a Special Olympics athlete, you’ll join thousands of other Oregonians who participate in our programs every year — and our focus will always be on you and all you can achieve. Whether you consider yourself an athlete or you’ve never tried a sport, Special Olympics Oregon is a great way to have fun, develop new skills and build your self-confidence.
Special Olympics is
training for life.
Our programs give athletes the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of sports. Through year-round training and competition, we offer sports as a proven pathway to better health, essential life skills and lifelong friendships. Along the way, you’ll meet interesting people, become more connected to your community and achieve new heights.
We serve those with
intellectual disabilities.
Anyone at least two years old who has been identified as having an intellectual (or cognitive) disability by a medical professional is eligible to join Special Olympics. There is no upper age limit.
Athletes must be 6 years of age to train and 8 years of age to compete.
Special Olympics is free to
all athlete participants.
There’s never a cost to join, train or compete. Special Olympics Oregon raises funds through sponsorships, private donations and special events that support our 30 Local Programs and 150 school-based programs across Oregon.
Choose from 11 sports across multiple seasons.
We strive to provide variety for our athletes. Based on available resources, facilities and coaches, the following sports may be available through Local Programs and Unified Champion Schools across Oregon:
Winter Sports
(January – April)
Basketball
Powerlifting
Cornhole
Summer Sports
(May – July)
Athletics (Track & Field)
Bocce
Golf
Softball
Fall Sports
(August – November)
Swimming
Bowling
Soccer
Volleyball