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To link to the Summer Sports rules, click here

Athlete-Related Sports Initiatives

Motor Activities Training Program

Special Olympics Virginia also offers the Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) for persons with severe limitations who do not yet possess the physical and/or behavioral skills necessary to participate in official Special Olympics sports. The emphasis in the MATP program is on training and participation, rather than competition.

Unified Sports

Special Olympics Unified SportsŪ is an inclusive program that pairs individuals with intellectual disabilities (athletes) and their peers without disabilities (partners) on the same teams to train and compete. The program is designed to help break barriers by enabling athletes and partners to participate as teammates. Unified SportsŪ is most successful when all participants are matched according to ability level and age. Virginia offers Unified SportsŪ programs in basketball, bowling, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.

*Young Athletes Program

The Special Olympics Young Athletes Program introduces young children with intellectual disabilities and their families to the world of Special Olympics. This innovative sports play program for children ages 2 to 7 is a series of developmentally appropriate activities designed specifically for young children and their family members. The Young Athletes program seeks to strengthen physical development and self-esteem for children by building skills for future sports participation and socialization prior to Special Olympics competition eligibility (age 8).

For more information on the MATP, Unified Sports or Young Athletes programs, e-mail Dave Pawlowski, vice president of program, at dpawlowski@specialolympicsva.org.