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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
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Spotlight

Stories

The Gillihan Family receives 2019 Spirit of Special Olympics Family of the Year award.

Spirit of Special Olympics Awards 2019: Family of the Year

Special Olympics Indiana is pleased to announce that the Gillihan Family, from Boone County, is our 2019 Spirit of Special …

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Lynne Noble accepts award as 2019 Spirit of Special Olympics Volunteer of the Year.

Spirit of Special Olympics Awards 2019: Volunteer of the Year

Special Olympics Indiana is pleased to announce that Lynne Noble, from Tippecanoe County, is our 2019 Spirit of Special Olympics Volunteer …

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Missee and Joe Foster accept awards as Special Olympics of Indiana 2018 Family of the Year.

Spirit of Special Olympics Indiana: 2018 Family of the Year

The Spirit of Special Olympics Indiana Awards are presented annually at our State Conference, recognizing the athletes, coaches, volunteers, families, …

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Steve Bingelli onstage accepting his award for Special Olympics Volunteer of the Year.

Spirit of Special Olympics Indiana: 2018 Volunteer of the Year

Special Olympics Indiana is pleased to announce that Steve Bingelli, Sr., from Clark County, is our 2018 Spirit of Special …

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Boone County Sheriff Michael Nielsen accepts award as 2018 Spirit of Special Olympics Indiana LETR Officer of the Year.

Spirit of Special Olympics Indiana: 2018 LETR Officer of the Year

The Spirit of Special Olympics Indiana Awards are presented annually at our State Conference, recognizing the athletes, coaches, volunteers, families, …

Read More
Andrew Petersen and coach Craig Peterson smile for Special Olympics Indiana.

Spirit of Special Olympics Indiana: 2018 Coach of the Year

Special Olympics Indiana is pleased to announce that Craig Peterson, from Indianapolis, is our 2018 Spirit of Special Olympics Coach …

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A picture of Juanita Garten Eacret receiving her award for 2017 Spirit of Special Olympics Coach of the Year.

2017 Spirit of Special Olympics Coach of the Year

Special Olympics Indiana is pleased to announce that Juanita Garten Eacret, from Benton County, is our 2017 Spirit of Special Olympics …

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Hedi Bowman, recipient of the “SPIRIT OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS” Coach of the Year 2016.

Spirit of Special Olympics Coach of the Year 2016 is Heidi Bowman

Special Olympics Indiana is pleased to announce Heidi Bowman as the 2016 “Spirit of Special Olympics” Coach of the Year.  …

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Indiana Police Chief Brendan Bridges pictured with Special Olympics Indiana athletes

Volunteer Story: Greensburg, IN Police Chief Brendan Bridges

It was March of 2015 when Greensburg, Indiana Police Chief Brendan Bridges attended the Chief School at the Indiana Law …

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Best friends Abby Abel and Special Olympics Indiana Athlete Mitch Bonar pictured together before attending the Special Olympics Generation Unified: Social Impact Summit. Summit.

Changing the World With My Best Friend

Special Olympics have been around for 47 years and has impacted millions of lives. However, they are not stopping anytime …

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