Special Olympics Buncombe County offers sports training and competition for individuals with an intellectual disability ages 8 and up. Young Athletes programming is available for children ages 2-7. To become an athlete email Buncombe@sonc.net

Coaching Special Olympics athletes may be one of the most rewarding things you do! We provide all the training necessary to help you and the athletes succeed! Coaches must be at least 18 years old. Learn more about becoming a coach.

Coach resources

• Season Authorization Request

Special Olympics North Carolina offers training and competition in 20 Olympic-type sports. See the sports here. Local program sport offerings vary based on athlete interest, coaches and facility availability. Buncombe County Special Olympics currently offers tennis, soccer, basketball, swim, gymnastics, cheer, bowling, skiing, and athletics. Coming soon: bocce, golf and powerlifting.

Are you interested in having a Special Olympics athlete at your event or meeting? There are two Athlete Leadership roles that you can request!

Global Messengers

Global Messengers are Special Olympics athletes who have been trained in public speaking to serve as ambassadors for the organization.  They can recruit potential athletes, volunteers and sponsors through public presentations.

Athlete Ambassadors

Athlete Ambassadors are representatives for Special Olympics North Carolina at functions that often have businesses or individuals that have donated money, food, etc. to Special Olympics NC and this is a way to thank them. Ambassadors are able to say thank you and show our appreciation while at events.

To schedule a Global Messenger or Athlete Ambassador appearance, please contact Buncombe@sonc.net

Since athletes never pay a fee to participate in Special Olympics, donations and sponsorships allow our program to purchase seasonal sport equipment, pay facility rental fees, purchase uniforms, and pay for travel (hotels, competition registration fees, etc.).  Contact us if you are interested in being a sponsor of our program.  We would love your support!

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools bring youth with and without intellectual disabilities together through sports and education to create school communities of acceptance and respect. Unified Champion Schools are seen through every level of education (Pre-K/Head Start through college) and are driven by youth and staff leaders.

Get your school involved as a Unified Champion School!

• Special Olympics Buncombe County Fall Sports Kickoff and Asheville Tourists Game Newsletter
• Special Olympics Buncombe County athlete Stephen Foster honored by NC Govenor 
• Special Olympics Buncombe County athlete Stephen Foster medals at Special Olympics World Winter Games
• Special Olympics Buncombe County athlete Stephen Foster is headed to the Special Olympics World Winter Games
• Special Olympics Buncombe County Soccer Team to compete at 2022 Special Olympics USA Games