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Athlete

Families & Friends Handbook

Table of Contents:

  1. General Information
  2. Athlete Eligibility
  3. How Do I Join? (includes information on medical forms/updates)
  4. Levels of Participation (includes Unified Sports & Motor Activities Training Program)
  5. Sports
  6. Training
  7. Competition
  8. Organizational Structure
  9. Other Special Olympics Programs (includes Athlete Leadership Programs & Healthy Athletes)
  10. What Can You Do To Help
  11. Gifts That Keep On Giving
  12. Download Forms


General Information

What is Special Olympics?

Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) is an accredited program of Special Olympics, Inc. (SOI), which is a global non-profit organization providing sports training and competition to persons with cognitive disabilities. Special Olympics programs are patterned after the Olympic Games. In fact, Special Olympics is the only organization authorized by the International Olympic Committee to use the word "Olympics" in its corporate name. Like the mainstream Olympics, SOI truly has a global presence, with programs in every state and in 150 countries. It serves nearly one million athletes and 500,000 volunteers who take part in over 15,000 Special Olympics games around the world, involving 24 summer and winter sports. Special Olympics Wisconsin serves nearly 10,000 athletes and has a volunteer base of more than 17,000 individuals.

Special Olympics Mission

To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for persons eight years of age and older with cognitive disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Benefits of Special Olympics

Participation in sports brings significant benefits to people with cognitive disabilities of all ages and abilities. The following also reflects benefits of sports for everyone:

Physical: Physical fitness, increased coordination, cardiovascular fitness and endurance.

Mental: Knowledge of rules and strategy, along with increased self-esteem, self-confidence, and pride.

Social: Teamwork, interaction with peers and people without cognitive disabilities, opportunity to travel and learn about other places and interests, family pride, and increased community awareness and acceptance. The results for the athlete include:

  • Richer, more rewarding life
  • Skills and confidence applied to school, work, home and social life.

These benefits have been verified by Dr. Elisabeth Dykens and Dr. Donald Cohen in their study entitled "Effects of Special Olympics on Social Competence in Persons with Mental Retardation," which was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in February 1996.

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Athlete Eligibility

Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) was created, and exists today, to give individuals with cognitive disabilities1 the opportunity to train and compete in year-round sports activities. 

To be eligible to participate as a registered SOWI athlete2, a person must meet the following criteria:

  1. Be at least eight years of age. There is no maximum age limit. An athlete must be eight years of age by the medical deadline date in order for SOWI to process the medical forms and for the athlete to compete in that sport season.

  2. Be identified by an agency or professional as having;

    1. A cognitive disability 1 ; or

    2. A cognitive delay 3 as determined by standardized measures such as intelligence quotient (IQ) or other generally acceptable measures; or

    3. A closely related developmental disability.  A “closely related developmental disability” means having functional limitations in both general learning4  and adaptive skills5 such as recreation, work, independent living, self direction or self care.  However, persons whose functional limitations are based solely on a  physical, behavioral, or emotional disability, or a specific learning or sensory disability are not eligible to participate as Special Olympic athletes, but may be eligible to volunteer for SOWI.   

  3. Agree to abide by the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules and the SOWI Athlete Code of Conduct.

  4. Persons with multiple disabilities may participate in SOWI as long as they also meet the noted criteria above. 

 

NOTE: No person shall, on the grounds of sex, race, religion, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of SOWI.

  1. A synonym for mental retardation. May also be used synonymously with mental or intellectual disability.

  2. To be a registered SOWI athlete, eligible persons must complete an Application for Participation (medical form) and a release form and register under one of over 200 SOWI accredited agencies.

  3. Learning slower than ones typical peers and requiring specially designed instruction.

  4. General learning limitation refers to substantial deficits in conceptual, practical and social intelligence that will result in performance problems in academic learning and/or general life functioning.

  5. Adaptive skill limitations refers to an on-going performance deficit in skill areas considered essential to successful life functioning.

Source:  Article 6.01, Special Olympics Official General Rules, Revised 2004.

Are there Any Fees for Participation?

There is no cost to the athlete to join Special Olympics Wisconsin. There may be a minimal cost involved in participating. No athlete will be denied participation based on economic circumstances.

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How do I Join?

  1. Contact the Special Olympics Wisconsin office at 1-800-552-1324. They will provide you with a contact name for the Area program who will, in turn, send you to your local Agency.

  2. Obtain and complete the official Special Olympics Wisconsin Release Form and the Application for Participation in Special Olympics or download the forms below. (Athletes with Down syndrome may need to complete the Special Exam Form.)

  3. Return your form(s) to the local Agency, who will then turn in your forms to the Program Office by the appropriate deadline. Medical deadline dates are strictly enforced. Please work closely with your Agency Manager to make sure medical deadlines are met. It is your responsibility to maintain a valid medical form with the Program Office.

Why are the Medical Forms (Special Olympics Wisconsin Release Forms and the Application for Participation) necessary?

The Medical Forms are similar to those required for any other sports program. They provide for:

  1. Necessary medical information, including a health history, health insurance information and emergency contacts, including physician, parent or guardian.

  2. Secondary insurance coverage by Special Olympics, Inc. as a secondary policy.

  3. Emergency medical treatment in the event that a parent or guardian cannot be reached.

  4. A photo release.

What is the Special Olympics Wisconsin Medical Policy?

If an athlete's Application For Participation Form expires prior to the last day of the state competition in which the athlete is registered, a new Application Form must be completed and filed with the Program Office PRIOR to the medical deadline date for that sport. These deadlines also apply to athletes who are new to Special Olympics.

Medical Deadlines:

  • October 1 - Bowling and Volleyball

  • December 1 - Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Speed Skating, Snowshoe Racing and Snowboarding

  • February 1 -Team Basketball, Basketball Skills, Gymnastics

  • April 1 - Athletics (Track & Field), Soccer, Aquatics, Powerlifting

  • July 1 - Softball, Tee Ball, Tennis, Golf, Unified Sports® Golf, Bocce, Cycling

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Levels of Athlete Participation

Participation by all Ability Levels. Special Olympics aims to provide a variety of competition opportunities for athletes of all abilities by offering official events of various degrees of difficulty and challenge.

Athletes with lower abilities can participate in specially modified events such as the 25-meter Assisted Walk or the 15-meter Flotation Race (Aquatics).There are also events for athletes who use wheelchairs.

In team sports, athletes with lower abilities who are not yet ready for team playing can participate in Individual Skills competitions. For example, athletes can earn medals for performing such skills as dribbling in Basketball.

Athletes with severe challenges who do not yet possess the physical and/or behavioral skills necessary to participate in official Special Olympics sports may participate in the Motor Activity Training Program (MATP), a noncompetitive program. Most Special Olympics events have few differences from the sport played by individuals without disabilities. Athletes with higher abilities are now participating in events such as the marathon, or in Special Olympics Unified Sports ®, a program designed to bring together equal numbers of athletes with and without cognitive disabilities on the same team. Efforts are made to match ability levels and age- appropriate peers.

  • Participation in Other Programs. Special Olympics athletes may participate in other sports programs while participating in Special Olympics (e.g. Special Olympics softball team and a city league softball team). However, sports governing bodies, such as the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, leagues and schools may have rules prohibiting athletes from participating on more than one team per season. Coaches should encourage their athletes to participate in all sports programs, but they must be careful to protect their athletes' eligibility.

  • Recommended Number of Sports. SOWI, per SOI recommendations, allows athletes to compete in one sport per season.

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Sports Offered.

Special Olympics Wisconsin offers training and competition in a wide variety of sports. Ask your Agency Manager what sports are available in your local program. Special Olympics Wisconsin sports include:

Winter Games season

Indoor Sports Tournament season

Summer Games season

Outdoor Sports Tournament

Fall Sports Tournament season

What Rules do Special Olympics Follow?

Special Olympics Wisconsin follows the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules which are based on International Sports Federation and National Governing Body rules. Rule books are available for a nominal fee. (Call 1-800-552-1324 or (608) 222-1324 for information on how to purchase an official rule book.

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Training

Athletes
Athletes train a minimum of ten hours for each sport within two months prior to Area/District competition. Local Agency training schedules may vary.

Coaches
Most coaches are volunteers. Special Olympics Wisconsin requires all coaches and volunteers be registered and screened prior to their involvement. Special Olympics Wisconsin trains coaches through sports training schools conducted year-round throughout the state. To become a certified coach, volunteers must attend a General Session, a sports-specific Certified Training School, and complete a minimum of 10 hours of practical coaching experience with Special Olympics athletes. Certified Training Schools are taught by knowledgeable, experienced clinicians who train coaches to work with athletes of all ability levels. In addition, Special Olympics Wisconsin provides Sports Skills Program Guides to ensure all athletes receive safe, quality sports training.

Home Training
No matter what your ability level, family members can help train their athlete at home. You can attend a training school or order sports training materials. Something as basic as taking a walk together conditions your athlete. Home training not only helps your athlete, but it can help you. Best of all, its fun!

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Competition

How are athletes seeded for competition?
What makes Special Olympics different than other sports organizations is the fact that divisioning occurs. As outlined in the Special Olympics Sports Rules Books, athletes are seeded into competitive divisions based on their age, sex, and ability. Divisions are established so they are "even." An "even" division is one in which all participants, based on training and competition performance records, have a reasonable chance of winning. In situations where there are not enough competitors to hold competition in a certain age or sex group, the athletes are combined within the same ability range. This division is then called an "open division." Because the goal for each Special Olympics athlete is to do his/her best, every athlete receives either a medal or a ribbon for competing.

How do Athletes Qualify for Competition?
Special Olympics Wisconsin stresses the benefits of training and competition at the local level. Athletes who train a minimum of ten hours qualify for Area competition. In some sports, District competition is held in place of an Area competition. If an athlete places 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at the Area/District competition, he/she may qualify for State competition.

Note: Due to facility limitations, some State competitions have quotas. The quota limits the number of athletes who advance from Area/District competitions. Final selection for State competition is up to the Agency Manager. In some sports, Special Olympics Wisconsin has added a third level of competition to provide more competition opportunities and eliminate the need for quotas. Regional competitions are held between Area and State competitions and follow the same rules for advancement.

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Organizational Structure

How is the Special Olympics organization structured?
Special Olympics, Inc. (SOI), founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968, is the organization which governs all aspects of Special Olympics. SOI gives states and other nations the right to use the name "Special Olympics", and provides guidelines for them to follow. Special Olympics Wisconsin is accredited regularly by SOI to ensure strict compliance to these guidelines. In addition, SOI is the only organization in the world endorsed by the International Olympic Committee as part of their worldwide Olympics movement.

How is Special Olympics Wisconsin organized?
Special Olympics Wisconsin is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board oversees staff at the Program and Area levels. Local programs register annually with Special Olympics Wisconsin and are coordinated by Agency Managers who report to Area office staff. Athletes and their families are the foundation of Special Olympics Wisconsin.

How is money raised?
Special Olympics Wisconsin is a not-for-profit organization [501(c)3]. Contributions from individuals, organizations, corporations, foundations and special events provide the resources necessary for year-round programming.

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What Other Programs Does Special Olympics Offer?

Special Olympics Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs) offer athletes an opportunity to explore Special Olympics participation in roles not previously considered. Currently, Special Olympics athletes are serving as coaches, officials, Athlete Advisory Council members, Board members, ambassadors, Global Messengers and mentors.

ALPs allow athletes to have self-determination in the role they will play in Special Olympics; putting athletes in meaningful positions of influence and leadership throughout the organization; providing training to give them the tools they need to be successful in these new roles, and maximizing their potential both on and off the playing field.

Healthy Athletes Program is designed to help athletes improve their health and fitness, leading to an enhanced sports experience and improved well being. Athletes receive a variety of health services through screenings and instruction conducted at Special Olympics events by volunteer professionals, including dentists, hygienists, optometrists, opticians, dieticians and audiologists.

Products, equipment and cash donations from local, national and international companies and organizations help to support the following programs that may be available at upcoming State competitions:

Special Smiles: Offers oral health screenings and education, personal preventive products, and referral advice for follow-up care.
Opening Eyes: Offers extensive vision and eye health tests, refraction for those requiring further screening, prescription eyeglasses and protective sports eye wear, and referral advice for follow-up care.
Healthy Hearing: Offers hearing tests by audiologists and referral advice for follow-up care.
Nutrition: Offers education on healthy dietary habits.

Additional programs in the areas of physical therapy, orthopedics and dermatology may be offered in years to come.

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What Can You to do Help?

Families and friends of Special Olympics athletes are encouraged to play an active role in their community Special Olympics program, to share in the training of the athletes, and to assist in the public education efforts needed to create greater understanding of the emotional, physical, social and spiritual needs of people with cognitive disabilities and their families.

One or all. It's your choice!

  • Cheerleader
  • Driver
  • Home Trainer
  • Fund Raiser
  • Spokesperson
  • Families Committee Member

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Gifts That Keep on Giving

MEMORIAL PROGRAM--Invest in the Future of Special Olympics

Give a Gift to Special Olympics in remembrance of a loved one...

Your gift to Special Olympics Wisconsin in remembrance of a friend or loved one assists in providing year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for nearly 9,000 children and adults with cognitive disabilities.

This expression of love through a Memorial Gift furthers our mission by giving people with cognitive disabilities continuous opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship. For information, call 800-552-1324 or click here. Each Memorial Gift is acknowledged to your loved one's family or others with a card sent according to your wishes. Gift amounts are confidential.

To give a memorial gift, contact info@specialolympicswisconsin.org

Also, ask for :
A Guide to Giving-planned giving options and opportunities.
Information on The Olympus Society- a recognition program for those who have made

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Athlete Registration Forms

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