Get the latest on competitions, fundraisers, volunteer opportunities, and all the ways you can be part of the movement.
Scroll to Top
Athletics
Athletics offers a wide range of events, from the 100 meters and hurdle events to the marathon, from the high jump and the long jump to the shot put, and from the relays to the wheelchair events.
Athletics is one of Special Olympics most popular sports.
Basketball
Basketball is a favorite among Special Olympics athletes. In addition to team competition, Special Olympics also offers individual skills competition, which allows athletes to train and compete in basic basketball skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advancing to team play. These events include target pass, ten-meter dribble and spot shot.
The range of events is intended to offer competition opportunities for athletes of all abilities.
Bocce
Bocce is a game of skill and strategy. The object is for one team to get as many of their balls (boccia) closer to the pallina (the smallest ball) than the opposing team’s closest ball.
Flag Football
Flag football is an exciting, new sport offered to Special Olympics Southern California athletes. In the spring of 2018, it kicked off as a demonstration sport, and athletes trained and competed locally only. Starting in 2019, it became an official sport, and athletes are eligible to compete at regional and Southern California competitions. Flag Football is also offered as a unified sport as athletes with and without intellectual disabilities train and compete together on the same team.
Swimming
Because of the wide array of swimming events offered, it is appropriate for a range of ages and ability levels. Swimming competition events are based on a variety of strokes.
An athlete with Down syndrome who has been diagnosed with Atlanto-Axial Instability may not participate in Butterfly events, Individual Medley events, diving starts or diving.
Bowling
Bowling is one of the fastest growing Special Olympics Southern California sports.
Although some modifications are made for athletes with physical disabilities, most Special Olympics athletes compete under the same rules and circumstances as athletes on a professional tour.
Golf
Like most golfers, Special Olympics athletes are driven by the opportunity to compete. Program planning is designed to develop individual golf skills that enhance performance, allowing the athlete to achieve success in playing the game.
The Special Olympics Golf program is centered on two educational phases designed to encompass all skill levels: learning to swing a golf club and learning to play the game. Athletes may participate in Skills, 9-hole stroke play or 18-hole stroke play.
Soccer
Soccer is considered the world’s most popular sport for children and adults around the world. Similarly, it is one of the most popular sports for Special Olympics athletes. Athletes are able to improve their overall physical fitness through training and competition.
In addition to offering traditional soccer, Special Olympics offers individual skills competition to allow athletes to train and compete in basic soccer skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advancing to team competition.
Softball
Softball is an exciting team sport in Special Olympics. Athletes play slow-pitch, which involves two teams of 10 athletes each. Special Olympics offers individual skills competition to allow athletes to train and compete in basic softball skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advancing to team competition. These skills include base running, fielding and throwing.
Tennis
Like mainstream tennis, Special Olympics Tennis gives athletes the opportunity to learn and perform a variety of skills that can be played throughout life. In addition to offering traditional singles and doubles events, Special Olympics offers individual skills competition to allow athletes to train and compete in basic tennis skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advancing to match play.
Volleyball
Athletes participating in Special Olympics Volleyball benefit from the camaraderie that comes from competing in a team sport, as well as the training that enables them to successfully serve and return a volleyball.
Special Olympics also offers individual skills competition to allow athletes to train and compete in basic volleyball skills.
Floorball
Floorball is adapted from the games of ice hockey and ringette. Floorball is played in a rink, but the surface is made of wood or concrete, not ice. The athletes use wooden poles with blades as the sticks and hit large plastic balls towards the goals.