Athletics
Athletics (Track & Field) is not only the first sport introduced to Special Olympics North Carolina, it also the most popular sport with nearly 35,000 athletes training each year. The sport of athletics encourages athletes of all abilities and ages to compete at their optimum level. Through the track-and-field-based athletics training program, participants can develop total fitness to compete in any sport. As with all Special Olympics sports, athletics offers athletes the opportunity to learn through skill development and competitive settings and to be involved in large social settings.
Did you know?
- Athletics was introduced as the first sport to Special Olympics North Carolina in 1970.
- In 1991, Special Olympics North Carolina sent twelve athletes and three coaches to the International Summer Special Olympics Games in Minneapolis, MN.
- The Athletics Sport Development Team offered the first coaches training schools to teach coaches how to coach Special Olympics athletes in athletics in 1992.
- 1992 marked the year Special Olympics North Carolina sent a 4×100 Meter relay team from Nash County to the Athleta Gibson Relays in Kingston, Jamaica. This team not only attended but won first place bringing home a gold medal.
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Sport Development Teams (SDT) are responsible for assisting with local and state level programs and competition, educating coaches and officials, and promoting active engagement among athletes throughout the year. Click here for more information. Certified clinicians supplement the SDT by providing coaches training in their community.
Officiate for Special Olympics North Carolina by donating your time as a sports official. Contact sports@sonc.net for more information.
Athletics Sport Development Team
Rick Gemereth
Matthews
