BECOME AN ATHLETE

    All prospective athletes must register to participate in Special Olympics. There is no cost
    to participate in Special Olympics. To view our broucher, please click here.

    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:
        • a. an intellectual disability, or
        • a cognitive delay, as determined by standardized measures, or
        • a closely related developmental disability, which means having functional limitations in
           both general learning and in adaptive skills, and
    3. 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 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 Virginia, Northern Virginia
    11350 Random Hills Road C-140
    Fairfax, VA 22030

    Any further questions contact: Medical Coordinator

    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.