Become an Athlete

Are you interested in signing up your child, loved one, or yourself for our world-class sport programs?

Special Olympics Canada offers more than 5,500 programs in communities across the country and welcomes all individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability from age two and up. Our programs provide participants with physical fitness and conditioning; improved balance, coordination and body control; increase in sport skills and competitive skills; and an increase in self-confidence and social skills. But Special Olympics is about much more than sports and fitness.

The movement’s true power lies in its ability to create change in the lives of the children, youth and adults registered in our programs, but also in the communities in which they live.

For people with an intellectual or developmental disability, Special Olympics is often the only place where they have an opportunity to develop a strong belief in themselves. Through Special Olympics, they begin to see themselves differently. Whether by stepping onto the ice or onto the track, they now see themselves as athletes who can do so much more.

Each Special Olympics program has specific age guidelines, depending on the type of activity. Community based programs offer athletes the programs necessary to develop important skills required in sport and everyday life. You can start as early as two years of age, but you are never 'too old' to start!

Active Start and FUNdamentals are innovative play programs for children with intellectual disabilities that focus on physical literacy and basic motor skills development. Active Start and FUNdamentals are open to children between the ages of two and 12.

Special Olympics community and competitive programs, on the other hand, do have a minimum age requirement of eight years of age. Our competitive athlete programs start locally and can grow to international competition depending on athlete wishes and development.