Compete

Special Olympics athletes are the true leaders of our movement.

Special Olympics Missouri offers 13 sports for individuals to practice and compete in, each of which are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level, age, and gender.

1. Complete your online Athlete Registration. (This is general information that all athletes, coaches, unified partners, volunteers, etc. must complete in order to be involved with Special Olympics Missouri).

2. Contact your local coach (your Area Program Staff will tell you who this is). If there is not a local coach in your area, your friend or family member may become a certified coach by attending the required training sessions.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • The Athlete Registration and Medical Form needs to be renewed every year.
  • Renewal form coming soon.

Not sure if your information is all up-to-date? Contact your Area Program Staff!

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Sports Offered Statewide

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Athletics

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Basketball

Bocce2

Bocce

Bowling

Bowling

Flag Football

Flag Football

Golf

Golf

Powerlifting

Powerlifting

Softball

Softball

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Swimming

Tennis

Tennis

Volleyball

Volleyball

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Pickleball

Francis Howell's Zack Nevels goes for the ball during a soccer game for the Special Olympics at Missouri State University

Amber Arnold/News-Leader

Soccer

Emerging Sports

An emerging sport is in its early development, often not available in all areas. We also do not regularly hold statewide competitions for emerging sports.

The areas that offer these sports can put you in contact with local teams that train in them. Click their links below to contact your area office. If you want to start one of these sports in your area, contact your area staff.

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Cheerleading

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Dance

Other Sports Offered

While some areas have athletes who train and compete in these sports, that doesn't mean an official SOMO competition is held. Some athletes train and compete as individuals on their own, while others may travel to neighboring states for competition. The areas that offer these sports can put you in contact with local teams that train in them. Click their links below to contact your area office. If you want to start one of these sports in your area, contact your area staff.

If you'd like to start a new sport that isn't listed, let us know.

An athlete dressed in black skis down a hill past a blue marker

Alpine Skiing

Areas Offered:
North, St. Louis Metro

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Equestrian

Areas Offered:
Central Area, St. Louis Metro Area

Floor Hockey

Floor Hockey

Areas Offered:
Kansas City Metro Area

Showshoeing

Snowshoeing

Areas Offered:
Kansas City Metro

What Other Opportunities Do Athletes Have?

Special Olympics athletes have the opportunity to be involved in several other programs

Health & Wellness

The Special Olympics Health & Wellness program offers a wide variety of services to athletes with intellectual disabilities and their families. Whether it's through exercise and nutrition classes with Fit 5, cooking classes, free health screenings through Healthy Athletes®, and much more, Special Olympics has made it a point to show that the overall health of people with intellectual disabilities is a part of our mission.

Athlete Leadership

This program is designed to train people with intellectual disabilities on leadership, life skills, and independence. Classes include public speaking, governance, internet/email, photography, videography, personal finances, job skills, teamwork/problem solving, health and much more. For many, this is the first time that they are given real choice and an opportunity to become leaders on their teams and in their communities.

Coaching

Athletes who show leadership abilities will have the opportunity to become a coach in lieu of competing in that sport. Just like our volunteer coaches, athletes must first be trained and prove that they can handle the responsibilities of coaching, starting out as an assistant coach and moving up the coaching ladder. To become a coach at any level, you will need to go through the Athlete Leadership Programs University.