Sports' Overview


Alpine Skiing
Alpine skiing is an exciting winter sport that challenges the athlete's downhill racing ability and coordination. Special Olympics Minnesota offers alpine skiing events from novice to advanced levels. (December - February)

Click here for practice times and registration!

Aquatics
Because of the wide array of events offered, aquatics is appropriate for a range of ages and ability levels. Aquatics competition events are conducted with a variety of strokes. Special Olympics also offers events for lower ability level athletes to train and compete in basic aquatics skills. (January - April)

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Basketball
Basketball is a favorite among Special Olympics athletes. In addition to team competition, Special Olympics Basketball also offers individual skills competition, which allows athletes to train and compete in basic basketball skills. (January - April)

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Bocce
Bocce is a game of skill and strategy, especially good for those who don't exceed in big team sports. Athletes can choose to play as individuals, in pairs, or with a Unitied partner (someone who does not have an intellectual disability). (June - August)

Check back next spring for more information!


Golf
Like most golfers, Special Olympics athletes are driven by the opportunity to compete. Program planning is designed to develop individual golf skills that enhance performance, allowing the athlete to achieve success in playing the game. (May - August)


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Poly Hockey
Poly hockey is adapted from the game of ice hockey. Special Olympics Minnesota, along with a few other Special Olympics programs such as Special Olympics Michigan, has chosen to offer poly hockey instead of floor hockey. Poly hockey is played in a rink covering the surface of a gymnasium floor, not ice. (October - February)

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Softball
Softball is an exciting team sport in Special Olympics. Athletes can participate in slow-pitch softball, which involves two teams of 10 athletes each, tee-ball or in the individual skills competition. (April - August)

Check back next spring for more information!


Soccer
Soccer is one of the world's most popular sport for children and adults. Similarly, it is one of the most popular sports for Special Olympics athletes. Playing soccer requires very little equipment, and because it is easy to learn, is appropriate for a wide range of age and ability levels. (September - Non Competitive)

Check back next fall for more information!

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Table Tennis
Table tennis is a fast-paced sport that requires excellent hand and eye coordination. Special Olympics athletes demonstrate the necessary elements of power and finesse in order to play table tennis.  In addition to offering traditional singles, doubles and mixed doubles events, Special Olympics table tennis offers individual skills competition to allow athletes to train and compete in basic table tennis skills.

Check back next winter for more information!


Tennis
Like mainstream tennis, Special Olympics tennis gives athletes the opportunity to learn and perform a variety of skills that can be played throughout life. In addition to offering traditional singles and doubles events, Special Olympics offers individual skills competition to allow athletes to train and compete in basic tennis skills. (April - June)

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Track and Field
Athletics events offer a wide range, from the 100 meters and hurdle events to the marathon, from the high jump to the long jump, shot put, relays and wheelchair events. In addition, Special Olympics offers events for lower ability level athletes to train and compete in basic athletics skills. (April - June)

Check back next spring for more information!


These sports may be offered by other teams.

If you are an athlete or know of an athlete who might have interest in one of these, click here to go Special Olympics sports information page.

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