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Winter 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 November unless otherwise noted.
Culminating event – Winter Games
When: February
Where: York, PA
Winter Sports Offered
Floor Hockey
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Floor hockey was first introduced as a Special Olympics sport at the 1970 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Floor Hockey events combine both team and individual skills competitions. It is the only team sport among the Special Olympics Winter Sports. Floor Hockey training season is usually from November to March.
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.
Snowboarding
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Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard that is attached to a rider’s feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. Snowboarding was first introduced to the Olympic Games in 1998 at Nagano, Japan and became an official Special Olympics Sport in 2001. The training season is usually from December to February.
