Snowboarding Snowboarding competition at the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Snowboarding is not only one of the newer sports within the Olympic movement, but within Special Olympics too. Snowboarding was adopted by the International Olympic Committee as an Olympic sport in 1994, with an inaugural Olympic competition in 1998 in Nagano, Japan — the site of the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games. The physical demands of this fast-paced sport are challenging for any athlete. At a minimum, snowboarding requires a combination of quick reflexes, good balance and strong physical fitness. As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender. Snowboarding Facts The 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, hosted 23 athletes from three Programs competing in snowboarding, where the sport was first introduced. Snowboarding was contested at the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan with 50 athletes. As of the 2005 Special Olympics Athlete Participation Report, 4,518 Special Olympics athletes compete in snowboarding. Snowboarding Events Advanced Super Giant Slalom (Super G) Advanced Giant Slalom Advanced Slalom Intermediate Super Giant Slalom (Super G) Intermediate Giant Slalom Intermediate Slalom Novice Super Giant Slalom (Super G) Novice Giant Slalom Novice Slalom Related Links Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS)