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"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be
brave in the attempt."
Created by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation
Be An Athlete
Eligibility
Special Olympics training and competition is open to every person with intellectual disabilities
who is at least eight years of age and who registers to participate in Special Olympics.
A person is considered to have intellectual disabilities for purposes determining his or her
eligibility to participate in Special Olympics if that person satisfies one of the following
requirements:
- The person has been identified by an agency or professional as having intellectual disabilities as determined by their localities; or
- The person has a cognitive delay as determined by standardized measures such
as intelligence quotient or "IQ" testing or other measures which are generally
accepted within the professional community in Virginia as being a reliable measure
of the existence of a cognitive delay; or
- The person has a closely-related developmental disability, which means having
functional limitations in both general learning (such as IQ) and in adaptive care
(such as recreation, work, independent living, self-direction, or self-care).
Registering an Athlete
Registering an athlete with Special Olympics Virginia is a simple process.
You can download the Application for Participation from
this web site, or you may obtain Athlete enrollment kits by contacting the appropriate office:
NORTH
Beth Frank, North Section Director - 1-800-526-6131
NORTHCENTRAL
Danielle Pokusa, North Central Section Director - 1-888-479-6918
NORTHWEST
Daniel Leake, Northwest Section Director - 1-800-526-6133
CENTRAL
Tina Andes, Central Section Director -
1-800-932-4653
SOUTHEAST
Carl Earnshaw, Southeast Section Director - 1-877-874-7462
SOUTHWEST
Nancy Morehouse, Southwest Section Director - 1-800-526-6132
Steps to Enrollment
- Complete the OFFICIAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS RELEASE FORM. A Parent or Guardian must sign
this for minor athletes. Adult athletes may sign the 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.
- Arrange an appointment with a physician to complete the APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN SPECIAL OLYMPICS FORM. This form asks for emergency contact and insurance information as well as a health history. A physician must sign the form to certify that the athlete is able to participate in Special Olympics 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. Also, many local Special Olympics programs arrange free physicals each year for participating athletes. Contact your Area Coordinator (see Local & Regional information).
- All completed forms should be returned to your coach or Area Coordinator. They may also be returned to Special Olympics Virginia at either of these addresses:
- Special Olympics Virginia
Northwest Office
PO Box 1906
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
- Special Olympics Virginia State Headquarters
3212 Skipwith Road, Suite 100
Richmond, VA 23294
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About SOVA