Find Your Program
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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 Bowling!

    Bowling has grown into one of the most popular sports offered in our program. The State Bowling Tournament, held annually in late fall, brings together hundreds of athletes and Unified partners from across the state for two days of fun and competition in Indianapolis.
    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

    Polar Plunge
    Polar Plunge

    • 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

    • 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

    • contribute clothes

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

      contribute clothes
Find Your Program
Stories State Calendar Who We Are
Donate

Get in the Game

Become An Athlete

Special Olympics Indiana provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in more than 20 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, reaching more than 19,000 athletes across the state.



The programs help athletes of varying abilities gain opportunities to expand their athletic skills, build confidence, and develop meaningful relationships. It’s an ever-growing community of supportive individuals who share a passion for sports.



Join one of our programs to begin a life-changing experience!

Click here to fill out the Athlete Interest Form

Athlete receiving a medal

Join the movement

Participants

Red Jersey Iconography

19,022

Coaches

Medal Red Icon

891

Sports Offered

Field Red Icon

20

Jayden Wiggins. Boy with metal around his neck arms up celebrating.

Athlete Spotlight

Jayden

Wiggins

Jayden knows what it’s like to struggle. After spending much of his early life in and out of hospitals, overcoming challenges on an athletic field is nothing. Special Olympics Indiana has provided Jayden an opportunity to learn about himself and develop skills he didn’t know he had. It’s helped him develop his mental attitude and proved that anyone with disabilities can compete and have fun doing so.

Read More Stories

Getting Started

Achieve Your Potential

Don’t know where to start? That’s okay! Begin by filling out the Interest form located below. Be sure to include the county you live in because that information will go to the county coordinator who oversees the program nearest you.

Get Involved In Your Local Community

Athlete doing the long jump event

State Office Contact

[email protected] 317-328-2000

Interest Form

Please fill out this brief form to get started today to become a Special Olympics Indiana athlete! We are so excited to have you join us!

Athlete Registration

Once you fill out the athlete interest form, your county coordinator will be in touch with you and send you an online link to the athlete registration. They will send you a page for general demographic and contact information.

Medical Form

Upon completion of your athlete registration, you will receive a blank medical exam form. Please take this to a licensed practitioner, and return to your county coordinator.

Eligibility

Persons are eligible to compete in Special Olympics provided they are 8 years of age or older (those ages 2 to 7 are eligible for the Unified Champion Schools); AND have been identified by an agency or professional as having an intellectual disability; OR have a closely related developmental disability such as those who have functional limitations, both in general learning and in adaptive skills such as recreation, work, independent living, self-direction or self-care.



NOTE: People with functional limitations based solely on a physical, behavioral, emotional, specific learning disability or sensory disability are not eligible. Special Olympics does not determine whether a person has an intellectual disability, but bases eligibility on the identification made by an agency or professional. For specific questions on eligibility, contact the State Office.

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY