Traditional Sports
Special Olympics Ohio offers year-round sports training and athletic competition in 19 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, reaching more than 20,000 athletes across the state. Athletes can compete at a variety of levels that accommodate a diverse range of abilities.
All Special Olympics Ohio competitions will utilize rules found in the Special Olympics Ohio Rules Manual for each given sport found below.
The winter is busy for Special Olympics skiers! We offer a one-day training day that’s designed to introduce athletes to skiing. The season lasts from December – February.
State Competition for Athletics takes place at State Summer Games at The Ohio State University in late June.
Basketball starts in October and goes through March.
Regional Competition for Basketball takes place in February.
State Competition for Basketball takes place at Indoor Winter Games at Bowling Green State University in early March.
Bocce runs from March – June.
State Competition for Bocce takes place at State Summer Games at The Ohio State University in late June.
Regional Competition for Bocce takes place in May.
Bowling takes place between March – June.
State Competition for Bowling takes place at State Summer Games at The Ohio State University in late June.
Flag Football takes place from August through October.
State Competition for Flag Football takes place in the fall at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.
Golf starts in May and goes through September.
Regional Competition for Golf takes place in August at Fairfield North Trace.
State Competition for Golf takes place in September at Meadow Links.
Gymnastics takes place from March through June.
The regional competition for Gymnastics is in May.
State Competition for Rhythmic and Artistic Gymnastics takes place at State Summer Games at The Ohio State University in late June.
SOOH Woman’s Artistic Gymnastics Rules Manual
SOOH Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Rules Manual
Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Resources
Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Resources
Powerlifting takes place from March through June.
The regional competition for Powerlifting is in May.
State Competition for Powerlifting takes place at State Summer Games at The Ohio State University in late June.
Snowboarding takes place from December through February.
State competition for Snowboarding takes place at the Outdoor Winter Games at Perfect North in January.
Snowshoeing takes place from December through February.
State competition for Snowshoeing takes place at the Outdoor Winter Games at Perfect North in January.
State Competition for Softball takes place in the fall at Sports Force Park in Sandusky.
Swimming happens from October through March.
Regional Competition for Swimming takes place in January.
State Competition for Swimming takes place at Indoor Winter Games at Bowling Green State University in early March.
Volleyball is from March through June.
Regional Competition for Volleyball is in May.
State Competition for Volleyball takes place at State Summer Games at The Ohio State University in late June.
Tennis happens from March – June.
Regional Competition for Tennis is in May.
State Competition for Tennis takes place at State Summer Games at The Ohio State University in late June.
