FAQs (continued)
Who is eligible to participate in Special Olympics?To
be eligible to participate in Special Olympics, you must be at least 8 years old and identified by
an agency or professional as having one of the following conditions: learning disabilities,
cognitive delays as measured by formal assessment, or significant learning or vocational problems
due to cognitive delay that require or have required specially designed instruction. However,
persons whose functional limitations are based solely on a physical, behavioural, or emotional
disability, or a specific learning or sensory disability, are not eligible to participate as Special
Olympics athletes, but may be eligible to volunteer for Special Olympics as partners in Unified
Sports® if they otherwise meet the separate eligibility requirements for participation in Unified
Sports set forth in the Sports Rules.
Can individuals with profound disabilities participate in Special Olympics?Yes,
through Special Olympics' Motor Activities Training Program (MATP), developed by physical educators,
physical therapists and recreation therapists. MATP emphasizes training and participation rather than
competition.
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