Athletes

Special Olympics athletes are the true leaders of the movement.

Special Olympics Missouri offers 21 sports for individuals to practice and compete in, each of which are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender.

Athlete's Oath                                      

Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.

Benefits

The physical, emotional and social benefits of participation in Special Olympics are experienced both on the playing field and at home.

• Physical exercise positively impacts health, mood and anxiety.
• Emphasis on sports training helps athletes maintain a healthy weight.
• Athletes participate in activities that enhance their self-esteem and help them see that they can achieve goals they set for themselves.
• Athletes have many opportunities to make new friends and socialize in an environment that is accepting and encouraging.
• Travel opportunities allow athletes to gain experiences and skills that will positively impact all areas of their lives.

Statement of Eligibility

To participate in Special Olympics, a person must be at least eight years old. Children at the age of three may begin a Young Athletes training program, but are not able to compete until the age of eight. A person must also be identified by an agency or professional as having one of the following:

• Mental Retardation
• Closely related development disability, which means having functional limitations in both general learning and in adaptive skills such as recreation, work, independent living, self-direction, or self-care.

To ensure the safety of our athletes and volunteers, the Special Olympics Missouri Board of Directors adopted on April 28, 2007, the  “Athlete and Volunteer Policy and Missouri’s Registration of Sex Offenders.”  

For more information on eligibility click here.

Enrollment

Contact your Area Director. Second, obtain physical and release forms, which can be downloaded here or received from your Area Director and complete before contacting your local coach. If there is not a local coach in your area, you may become a certified coach by attending the required training sessions.

SOMO Ambassador Club

The SOMO Ambassador Club is a group of athletes who have been trained as Global Messengers to help spread the message of Special Olympics. For more information on becoming a Global Messenger or booking an Ambassador Club member to speak at your next event, click here.