General Statement of Eligibility.  Special Olympics training and competition is open to every person with intellectual disabilities who is at least eight years of age and who registers to participate in Special Olympics as required by the General Rules.

Special Olympics was created and developed to give individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to train and compete in sports activities. No person shall, on the grounds of sex, race, religion, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of Special Olympics.

Special Olympics range of services, from Motor Activity Training Programs (MATP) to Unified Sports® addresses the needs of the individuals at their current functional level. It is a valuable support system that recognizes differences and celebrates accomplishments. Currently, Florida offers athletic training in eight-week cycles and competition in 20 Olympic-style sports.

Identifying Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
A person is considered to have an intellectual disability (mental retardation) when he/she has been identified by an agency or professional as having such, a cognitive delay has been determined by standardized measures, such as 'IQ' testing, or having functional limitations in both general learning and in adaptive skill. Persons with intellectual disabilities age eight years or older and who are properly registered are eligible for Special Olympic training and competition. Please see Athlete Eligibility for a complete explanation.

Please go to the forms section to download the applicable forms:  Release Form, Atlanto-Axial Release Form (Down Syndrome Only), Athlete Code of Conduct, Medical Form, Healthy Athlete Consent Form.