Athletic training and competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities is in our DNA. While Unified Sports is on the rise, we are still here for Special Olympics Athletes who want to compete in the traditional sports model, built specifically for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
With high-quality coaching, training, and competitions, Special Olympics sports offer a lifetime of activity and social engagement for the disability community. Show the world what you have in team and individual sports from athletics to volleyball!
Athletes Competing in Traditional Special Olympics Sports
Sports Available
Sports Seasons
Traditional Sports Competitions Annually
Beth Donahue and her mom Gina bond through fitness, starting with Zumba and now being certified instructors, they lead inclusive fitness sessions for Special Olympics Massachusetts athletes, promoting health and unity.
Carolyn, beacon of positivity in Special Olympics MA, shines with warmth and resilience. From local to national competitions, her profound impact and unwavering dedication to inclusion led to her Hall of Fame induction.
Special Olympics Massachusetts Golfer, Tyler Lagasse breaks down the field and previews the 2024 edition of the PGA Championship. Learn a bit of history and get a sense for what storylines may play out on the course.
Couldn’t find what you were looking for? write to us at Ops@SpecialOlympicsMA.org
Traditional Special Olympics sports are designed specifically for athletes with intellectual disabilities to compete with and against each other. This was the original model designed by Eunice Kennedy Shriver and put in place starting in 1968. Many parents find this is a great model for their athletes’ first special Olympics experience. They feel safe and comfortable knowing that all teammates have a level of shared experience.
We offer 24 sports and all of them are available in our traditional model. So, whether you want to play on a team, or as an individual, in a super active sport or something more recreational in nature, we have you covered!
YES! We offer local, regional, state, national and international competitions for athletes competing in Special Olympics sports. While Unified Sports is on the rise, Special Olympics continues to support and grow our traditional sports programming. We understand that some athletes prefer to compete with peers who also have intellectual disabilities and we want them to have the same opportunities as those who choose Unified Sports.