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  • About

    Find Your Local Program

    Special Olympics Indiana energizes athletes by organizing 10 dynamic Areas, each led by dedicated volunteers to support County Programs and host exciting regional competitions. Athletes thrive in vibrant community events, competing in various meets to earn their place in state-level championships.
    Find Your Community

    Our Initiatives

    Engage with athletes and volunteers across Indiana through our different Initiatives.

    About us

    Special Olympics Indiana engages and energizes athletes and volunteers throughout Indiana.

  • Competitions

    Next up, State Basketball!

    Basketball is one of the most popular sports offered in our program. The State Basketball Tournaments bring together men, women and youth from across Indiana for two weekends of competition.
    Explore the Competition

    State Competitions & Beyond

    Special Olympics Indiana hosts a variety of state-level competitions year round and participates in a different national or global competition each year.

  • Athletes

    Become An Athlete

    Join Special Olympics Indiana, where 19,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities compete year-round in over 20 sports, enhancing fitness, showcasing courage, and sharing joy. Our Unified Sports® program fosters teamwork and inclusion by uniting athletes with and without disabilities. Be a part of something extraordinary!
    Start Playing Now

    • GETTING STARTED

      Getting started is easy! The first step is to fill out the Athlete Interest Form. This will help us learn more about your interests.

      Fill out the Athlete Interest Form

    • SPORTS OFFERED

      Join us and compete year-round in over 20 sports, enhancing fitness, showcasing courage, and sharing joy. Be a part of something extraordinary!

      Check Out the Sports

    • NEW TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS

      Whether you're a beginner or not, we welcome athletes of all abilities to join and be part of an empowering and inclusive community.

      Learn more

    • EXPLORE OUR COMPETITIONS

      From local tournaments to state championships, there are events for every level of ability. Each competition promotes sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun.

      SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING
  • Volunteer

    Explore Volunteer Opportunities

    Whether you volunteer year-round, seasonally, or for just one event, you'll create unforgettable moments and make a significant impact. Support over 19,000 athletes to encourage their growth and foster meaningful connections.
    Become a Volunteer

    • why volunteer

      Volunteers are the heartbeat of Special Olympics Indiana! Make a meaningful impact and be part of something transformative.

      become a volunteer

    • become a coach

      Become a Special Olympics coach and drive athlete performance and well-being with exceptional training and support.

      become a coach

    • Event day volunteer

      Volunteering on event day is easy and impactful! Take on roles like referee, scorekeeper, announcer, or awards presenter to make a difference in just a few hours.

      volunteer

    • local volunteer opportunities

      Make a direct impact and foster a supportive environment by getting involved locally today!

      explore opportunities
  • Special Events

    • Polar Plunge

      Be Bold, Get Cold! Show your support and make a splash this winter.

      Polar Plunge

    • Plane Pull Challenge

      The Plane Pull features the ultimate tug-of-war competition! Teams raise funds for the opportunity to test their strength by pulling an aircraft as fast as possible.

      Plane Pull

    • Law Enforcement Torch Run

      Officers and athletes rally together to support The Summer Games and raise funds for Special Olympics Indiana.

      Law Enforcement Torch Run

    • Charity Golf Classic

      This annual tradition unites our loyal supporters for an exclusive outing at one of Indiana’s top public golf courses!

      Charity Golf Classic

    • Breakfast With Champions

      Inspiring events highlighting the stories and impact of athletes, coaches, and volunteers in SOI programs.

      Breakfast With Champions

    • State Conference

      Featuring the Spirit of Special Olympics Awards, the annual Indiana State Conference provides training for program leaders, volunteers, and families.

      State Conference
  • Ways to Give

    Featured Fundraiser

    Athletes preparing for the Plane Pull Challenge
    Plane Pull Challenge

    • donate now

      You can support Special Olympics in a variety of ways with a gift that makes an impact now.

      donate now

    • planned giving

      Consider including Special Olympics in your will or trust to create a lasting impact.

      Learn More

    • contribute clothes

      Don’t need it? We’ll take it! Donate clothes at over 400 Special Olympics Indiana bins statewide.

      Contribute Clothes

    • become a sponsor

      With events ranging from local to global in scale, there is opportunity for sponsors of every size to support Special Olympics.

      become a sponsor

    • Donate Your Car

      Your vehicle donation gives Special Olympics athletes the chance to develop physical fitness, compete in Olympic-like sports and experience the joy of sharing their skills with others.

      Donate Your Car
Find Your Program
Stories State Calendar Who We Are
Donate

A MORE INCLUSIVE INDIANA

One Game At a Time

inclusivity is our game

Everyone Can Play

Special Olympics Indiana transforms lives through the power of sport — breaking down barriers and empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities. Join us in our mission to create inclusive communities with open hearts and minds across the Hoosier state and beyond!

Special Olympics basketball team.

Our People IN ACTION

Join the Movement

Athletes

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19,000

Volunteers

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8,500

coaches

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870

Man smiling holding a medal.

fulfillment and fun await

Become An Athlete

Join more than 19,000 athletes just like you to enjoy the fun and friendships you get from sports. Become part of a team and gain opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a movement that impacts lives for the better.

Learn More
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Life-changing opportunities

Volunteer with Us

Volunteers are the backbone of Special Olympics Indiana! Our volunteers make a significant difference in the lives of others and experience life-changing fulfillment. No matter how often you participate, your contribution will be rewarding.

Learn More
Tournament

Encourage Growth

Be Our Coach

Share your knowledge and help athletes meet their goals — both on and off the field. Promote a sense of sportsmanship and encourage your athletes’ fierce sense of competition and a desire to have fun with their friends. It’s an opportunity rewarded in smiles, hugs and gratitude.

Learn More
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Athlete Spotlight

Melony

Salla

Starting as a shy, quiet, unsure seventh-grader when she joined Special Olympics Indiana, Melony has grown from athlete to leader to spokesperson to board member. Now, she leads the Benton County program as County Coordinator. Melony credits Special Olympics as a life-changing catalyst that has opened doors she never knew existed for her, providing opportunities to find her true potential.

Read More Stories

EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING STATEWIDE

Major Annual Events

Whether you live in Fort Wayne, Evansville, the heart of Indy or any of the 92 counties, there are always sports competitions, volunteer opportunities and fundraising events happening across the Hoosier state.

Find an event near you

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SUMMER GAMES

Our largest annual competition, Summer Games brings together more than 2,400 athletes and Unified partners from across the state on the campuses of Indiana State and Rose-Hulman for three days of competition and achievement, friendship and fun, ceremony and celebration.

Learn More
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ATHLETE LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY

Athlete Leadership University meets biannually on a college campus to offer a series of courses within seven tracks. Participants select a major — each of which lead to graduation after two to three years.

Register Today
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STATE CONFERENCE

Designed for program leaders, athletes, volunteers, coaches and families, this event provides valuable training in sports and program management and outstanding participants are honored in multiple categories.

Learn More
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Champion Sponsors

Sports Partner

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