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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

    Runners
    Torch Run

    • 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
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Stories

Coach speaking to athlete while they drink water

Special Olympics Indiana Hosting 53rd Annual State Basketball Tournament

Special Olympics Indiana’s annual state basketball tournaments return to the hardwood with athletes and Unified partners from county programs across the state taking part during a pair of upcoming weekends.

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Tommy Sliva competes in the downhill skiing event at the World Winter Games.

Tommy Sliva Wins Silver in Super G at Special Olympics World Winter Games

Tommy Sliva won a Silver Medal on Thursday in the Novice Super G division of the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Torino, Italy.

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6 Tips to Ease Email Communication with Athletes

Here are 6 steps that are effective for coaches when communicating with Special Olympics athletes via email.

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Sliva, Myers Head to World Winter Games in Turin

A crowd of family, friends and fans at Indianapolis International Airport cheered Tommy Sliva and his coach Duncan Myers as they departed Wednesday for Turin, Italy.

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Foods that help with weight management.

The Importance of Weight Management for a Longer, Healthier Life

Carrying excess weight can increase the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and even cancer.

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Bowling Team with Medals

Bowling Teams Compete on National Stage

Teams from Clark-Floyd, Delaware, Hancock, Lake and Porter counties travel this week to Baton Rouge, La., for the 33rd annual Special Olympics National Unified Bowling Championships.

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Josh Rice and Special Olympics Indiana Allen County basketball players pose before practice.

Allen County Coach Finds Joy in Paying it Forward

Josh Rice was looking for somewhere to pass along the joy of sports that he learned from his father growing up. The Campaign for Coaches gave him that opportunity.

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Improve Mental Performance for Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities

Developing strong mental skills can enhance confidence, focus and overall enjoyment of sports.

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Cardiovascular Exercise is a Must for Athletes with IDD

Cardo is an essential part of the fitness puzzle and can be done from just about anywhere in the world.

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Key Legislative Bills Are Coming Up in Indiana Statehouse

The Indiana legislative session continues as committees work through legislation assigned to their committees.

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Special Olympics Indiana Travels To Washington for Capitol Hill Day

Hamilton County athlete Blake Buckner was in Washington this week to speak with a U.S. senator and U.S. House representatives as part of Special Olympics’ Capitol Hill Day.

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Athlete strength training

The Benefits of Strength Training for Athletes with IDD

For athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), adding strength training into exercise routines offers numerous physical, psychological and social benefits.

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