HOW TO REGISTER
Athletes must register each program year to participate with Special Olympics North Carolina. This applies to all programming including sport practices, local events and all other competitions. The 2025-26 program year runs August 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026.
It has never been so easy!
Either the athlete as his/her own guardian or a parent/guardian must complete the form.
A parent/guardian should first create his/her own profile and from there the guardian can register one or multiple athletes for whom they are responsible (only one unique email address is required).
All you need to get started is an email address that will be used as the username and that you can access for verification. Basic information and health history will be needed for the form; there is no required sports physical for the initial form.
Feel free to reach out to registration@sonc.net with questions.
Resources to assist you include:
- A parent/guardian reference document
- Overview video
- Health History & Release Form User Guide
- Assistance Request Form
- Spanish Registration Flyer
- Para traducir el portal a otro idioma, como el español, debe agregar una extensión a su navegador web. Puede hacerlo visitando el menú de su navegador. Normalmente, se encuentra en la esquina superior derecha y puede estar marcado con tres puntos, líneas, etc. En Google Chrome, simplemente seleccione “Configuración” y haga clic en la opción “Idiomas”. Encontrará la sección “Traductor de Google”, donde puede activar la opción “Usar Traductor de Google.” Otros navegadores pueden tener la opción “Extensiones” en el menú desplegable. Una vez que haga clic en “Extensiones”, puede buscar “Traductor de Google” y seleccionar esa opción. Guarde la configuración y podrá traducir su página.
Feel free to reach out to registration@sonc.net with questions.
Eligible individuals must be identified by a medical agency or professional as having an intellectual disability. Some Special Olympics athletes may also have a physical disability, but it is their developmental disability that qualifies them to participate in Special Olympics.
If you do not have an intellectual disability, but are interested in competing alongside your friend, sibling, etc. who does qualify for Special Olympics, you can do so through Unified Sports!
The ability levels of Special Olympics athletes range greatly. The best thing is that no matter where an athlete falls in terms of ability, they have the opportunity to win a gold medal as they are divisioned in competitive groupings with their peers!
In addition to demonstrating your true abilities as a competitor, there are many other ways you can excel in Special Olympics. Did you know that as an athlete, you can:
- Receive training in public speaking and become a Global Messenger for Special Olympics
- Become a coach for Special Olympics
- Receive free health screenings at SONC state-level events
- Serve on the planning committee with your local program
There are occasionally opportunities for athletes to compete in events outside of the state. For those events that are simply open for anyone to participate, you can work with your local coordinator to express an interest.
For events which offer North Carolina a very specific number of athletes who can compete, a random drawing of gold medal winners from the most recent state-level event occurs to begin selections for these slots.
Participation in Special Olympics is free!
Athlete Leadership
Throughout North Carolina, Special Olympics athletes are stepping into meaningful leadership roles both on and off the field of play.
Special Olympics NC athletes serve in a variety of different leadership roles. Learn about them all here!
