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Spring/Summer Sports
Competition
Special Olympics competitions use a unique divisioning system based on age, gender, and ability. By assigning athletes to divisions commensurate with their ability, every athlete is given a reasonable chance to win.
- Athletes compete in competitions at the local level and also have the opportunity to go on to sectional and state-level competitions. World Games take place every two years alternating between Summer and Winter Games.
- SOPA offers Unified Sports®, which combines approximately equal numbers of athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to form sports teams for training and competition. The Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) provides comprehensive motor activity and recreational training for people with severe intellectual disabilities or multiple disabilities.
- Sports Guides, Rules and Information – provided by Special Olympics International
All sports begin in January unless otherwise noted.
Culminating event – Summer Games
When: June
Where: Penn State University
Spring/Summer Sports Offered
Equestrian
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At the 1987 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Indianapolis, Indiana, 38 athletes competed in the equestrian sports competition; one year later equestrian was added as an official Special Olympics sport. The training season is usually year round with a culminating event at Summer Games in June at Penn State University.
Gymnastics
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Special Olympics Gymnastics was first included in 1972 as an official sport in the Third International Special Olympics World Summer Games, when 11 athletes competed in tumbling and free exercise routines. Gymnastics Training Season is usually year round with a culminating event for PA athletes at Summer Games in June at Penn State University.
Kayaking
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Every athlete aims to travel through a specific water distance paddling either on his/ her own or in pairs of two (2), achieving the best possible time. Special Olympics kayaking is a flat-water racing event where athletes compete either on their own or as a pair with another athlete. Kayaking is one of the newest Special Olympics sports. It requires fundamental abilities in order to be safe and successful.
MATP
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The Special Olympics Motor Activity Training Program is designed for athletes who are unable to participate in official Special Olympics sport competitions because of their skill and/or functional abilities. The Motor Activity Training Program is designed to prepare athletes — including those with severe or profound intellectual disability and significant physical disabilities — for sport-specific activities appropriate for their ability levels.
Tennis
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Tennis became an official Special Olympics sport in 1987. The training season is usually from October to June. For a Tennis Service Representative in your area, contact USTA Middle States – USTA Middle States.