How to Join Us here at
Special Olympics as an
Athlete
All prospective athletes must register to participate in Special Olympics.
There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics.

Eligibility to Participate in Special Olympics
Persons are eligible for Special Olympics competition provided they are:

  1. At least eight years of age,
  2. have been identified by an agency or professional as having one of the following conditions:
  3. An intellectual disability (mental retardation), or
  4. Cognitive delay, as determined by standardized measures, or
  5. Closely related developmental disability, which means having functional limitations in both general learning
    and in adaptive skills, and registered to participate in Special Olympics.


Persons whose functional limitations are based solely on physical, behavioral, or emotional disability or a specific
learning or sensory disability are not eligible to participate as Special Olympics athletes.

There is no maximum age limitation for participating in Special Olympics.

Registration Procedures
(To print a registration form, go to the forms section of this website)

Complete the Official Special Olympics “Combined Athlete Release and Participation Form”.

A Parent or Guardian must sign the “Release Form” for minor athletes.  Adult athletes may sign the “Release
Form” themselves.  This form represents that the athlete is physically and mentally able to participate in Special
Olympics activities. It also authorizes emergency medical treatment and gives permission for Special Olympics to
use the athlete's likeness, name, voice or words for media, promotional and fundraising purposes.

Section A “Athlete Health Information”.

Section A includes emergency contact information and health history.  Every three years  a new Section A is filed
with the Special Olympics.  Section A requires a physical examination performed by a licensed medical
professional every three years.

Section B “Medical Certification”.

A physician must sign Section B to certify that the athlete is able to participate in Special Olympic activities.   Many
physicians will perform the necessary examination free or at a reduced cost when asked to do so for Special
Olympics. A Public Health agency may perform this service when asked.

Completed forms should be returned to a Coach or Area Coordinator or mailed to:
Special Olympics Coordinator &
Adaptive Recreation Specialist
PRCS, Adaptive Recreation
215 Depot Court, SE
Leesburg VA 20175


Go to forms section of this website to print the Combined Athlete Release and Participation Form  

Signing up for a Sport
Once a registration form has been submitted then the next step is to select and sign up for a sport.  Contact the
“Coordinator of the Sport” to sign-up.  This information is provided in the Sports section of this website.
Become an Athlete