Special Olympics: Get Involved

Get Involved
Special Olympics offers many ways to take part. There are short-term and long-term volunteer opportunities, the option of playing Unified Sports and to become a Special Olympics athlete.
Volunteers at Special Olympics events find many opportunities to cheer.
Get Involved
Special Olympics offers many ways to take part. There are short-term and long-term volunteer opportunities, the option of playing Unified Sports and to become a Special Olympics athlete.
Team sports such as volleyball are perfect for Unified Sports, where teams are made up of people with and without intellectual disabilities.
Get Involved
Special Olympics offers many ways to take part. There are short-term and long-term volunteer opportunities, the option of playing Unified Sports and to become a Special Olympics athlete.
Swimming is one of 30-plus sports that Special Olympics athletes train and compete in. People with intellectual disabilities can become one of our athletes in 170 countries worldwide.
Get Involved
Special Olympics offers many ways to take part. There are short-term and long-term volunteer opportunities, the option of playing Unified Sports and to become a Special Olympics athlete.
Coaches are volunteers who play a unique role in the life of a Special Olympics athlete.
Get Involved
Special Olympics offers many ways to take part. There are short-term and long-term volunteer opportunities, the option of playing Unified Sports and to become a Special Olympics athlete.
Health care professionals worldwide volunteer their time and experience to offer free health examinations for Special Olympics athletes.
Get Involved
Special Olympics offers many ways to take part. There are short-term and long-term volunteer opportunities, the option of playing Unified Sports and to become a Special Olympics athlete.
People in high school and college can take part in activities that have a meaningful and positive effect on the Special Olympics movement.

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Volunteer Near You

There are hundreds of Special Olympics offices around the world, and all of them need people at various times during the year. The best way to become a volunteer is to find the Special Olympics office nearest you. Learn More

Unified Sports

Team sports bring people together. Special Olympics Unified Sports® teams do that, too and much more. Almost a million people worldwide take part in Unified Sports, breaking down stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities in a really fun way. Learn More

Become An Athlete

Special Olympics has programs for people with intellectual disabilities from age 2 and on. No one is too old to be a Special Olympics athlete; most of our athletes are 18 or older. To get involved, get in touch with the Special Olympics office nearest you. You can learn more about our athletes and what they do.

Special Olympics athletes in snow gear pose with their coaches

Become a Coach or Official

Special Olympics is serious about its sports. The organization has a bold plan to have many more athletes, and that means we'll need more coaches. There will be more competitions, and that means we will need more officials. If you have an interest or background in either being a coach or official, find the Special Olympics office nearest you.

A smiling volunteer helps a young girl with her glasses

Use Your Expertise in Healthy Athletes

An international organization with many varied initiatives, Special Olympics needs volunteers with specialized training. Special Olympics health programs, for example, involve health-care professionals who volunteer to provide free health examinations for our athletes. Volunteer with Healthy Athletes

Youth Volunteer Opportunities

There are many ways for students in high school or college to volunteer with Special Olympics. Connect with a nearby Special Olympics program to volunteer for events, become a coach or be a Fan in the Stands. Young people can also participate in Special Olympics College Clubs, Project UNIFY, Partner’s Club, Spread the Word to End the Word and more. Go to the Project UNIFY section to get the details. LEARN MORE