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Special Olympics North Carolina

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Home | Sports and Competitions

Sports and Competitions

Competition & Divisioning

One of the main differences that sets Special Olympics apart from other sport organizations is divisioning. View this Divisioning video created by Special Olympics Inc.

Age Groups

An athlete’s age group is determined by the athlete’s age on the opening date of the Games or competition. The age of the oldest athlete on a team is used to determine the age group in which that team will compete. Depending on the type of competition (individual or team) and the sport, age groups may differ.

Maximum Effort Rule (formerly known as the Honest Effort Rule): Athletes are also expected to give maximum effort when competing. This is the only way the divisioning process can work as it was intended. Athletes who do not participate honestly and with maximum effort in all preliminary trials and/or finals violate the true spirit of competition and may even be disqualified from competition. SONC will use the maximum effort rule for state-level competition in aquatics (swimming) and athletics (track and field).

Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) offers sports training and competition in 20 Olympic-type sports to nearly 40,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities. Athletes train for a minimum of eight weeks with an average 1-2 practices per week. Sports competition is available for eligible athletes 8 years old and older, and there is no age limit.

Special Olympics North Carolina adheres to sport training and competition guidelines set forth by Special Olympics, Inc. as stated in Article I of the Special Olympics Sports Rules.

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Sports Offered

Alpine Skiing

Athletics
(Track & Field)

Basketball

Bocce

Bowling

Cheerleading

Cycling

Equestrian

Figure Skating

Flag Football

Golf

Gymnastics

Motor Activities Training Program

Powerlifting

Roller Skating

Sailing

Short Track Speed Skating

Snowboarding

Soccer

Softball

Swimming

Tennis

Unified Sports

Volleyball

Young Athletes

Sports Competitions

Cheerleading Tournament

Equestrian Tournament

Fall Tournament

Partner Up Power Up

Regionals and Invitationals

Summer Games

Winter Games – Alpine Skiing & Snowboarding

USA Games

World Games

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© 2023 Special Olympics North Carolina
Authorized and Accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. for the Benefit of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities.
Website Design and Development by Digital Mettle.

Special Olympics North Carolina
2200 Gateway Centre Blvd., Ste. 201
Morrisville, NC 27560
Tax ID: 56-1149607
919-719-7662
919-719-7663 (fax)

MAIN MENU
  • Home
  • Sports and Competitions
  • Get Involved
    • Help to Fundraise
    • Become A Volunteer
    • Become An Athlete
    • Become A Coach
  • Health & Wellness
  • Torch Run
  • Unified Champion Schools
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Ways to Give
    • Advocate
    • Employment
    • Internships
    • Contact Us