The Special Olympics "Flame of Hope" never goes out. Every day, Special Olympics athletes are training and competing. Special Olympics North Carolina provides year-round training and competition in 20 sports.

Special Olympics games and competitions are patterned after the Olympic Games. Special Olympics North Carolina offers a a sports skills guide for every sport outlining tested training programs.

Special Olympics North Carolina athletes have the chance to compete at the local, area, state, regional, national and world level.

For information about competition in your area, please visit your local program's calendar.

Special Olympics North Carolina believes every Special Olympics games and competition should be a complete experience for the athletes and embody the following five characteristics:

• The spirit of sportsmanship and love of participation, as reflected in the Special Olympics athlete oath: ?Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.?
• A sense of pageantry and ritual, through events such as elaborate and colorful Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
A varied program of several different Special Olympics sports at State and National Program levels.
• New challenges and opportunities for athlete growth with clinics and demonstrations in sports and the arts offered in conjunction with the Special Olympics Games.
• Entertainment such as social activities including dances and informal games as part of Special Olympics competitions.