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Special Olympics is a sports training and competition program founded by the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation for athletes ages 8 and over who have intellectual disabilities. There is no maximum age limit on participation. Our local Special Olympics program is part of Arizona Special Olympics, the state chapter charged with providing year-round sports training and competition to our athletes.
The sports occur during their respective seasons, in the same way as high school athletics have specific sports seasons. Sports offered locally by MASD include Swimming & Diving, Golf, Soccer, Bowling, Cycling, Basketball, Cheerleading, Tennis, Softball and Track & Field.
Special Olympics is designed specifically for students and adults who have been diagnosed as having intellectual disability. Many of our Special Olympic athletes also have physical disabilities and Special Olympics recognizes this fact, providing sports and events designed specifically for athletes who have both intellectual and physical disabilities. As a general rule, if your school age child is placed in a Moderately Mentally Disabled classroom (MOMD), Mildly Mentally Disabled classroom (MIMD), Severely Mentally Disabled classroom (SMD) or Multiply Disabled classroom (MD), the place for them to compete is Special Olympics. Most MASD Special Olympic programs have no fee or cost associated with it. A Special Olympics medical examination is required for participation in any program. In addition, athletes with Down Syndrome are required to have a 3 view neck x-ray to determine the possibility of a condition called atlanto-axial subluxation. Financial assistance is available for athletes requiring it.
