Special Olympics Maryland provides sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympics-type sports for people eight years of age and older with mental retardation and closely related developmental disabilities. Athletes compete from all counties around Maryland. We encourage our athletes to also become leaders and give back to others through Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPS). In ALPS athletes may train to become coaches, officials, games management team members, county committee members and board members.

Who Is Eligible To Participate in Special Olympics?

Throughout Maryland there are over 100,000 persons with mental retardation and/or closely related developmental disabilities who can benefit from Special Olympics Maryland's sports programs. Eligible athletes are all children and adults, at least eight years old, with mental retardation, a cognitive delay, or a closely related developmental disability. Children age six and seven may participate in Special Olympics training, but may not compete. Eligible athletes have functional limitations in both general learning and in adaptive skills. This typically includes all individuals with mental retardation, combination deaf-blindness, autism, traumatic brain injury, and most individuals with cerebral palsy and specific learning disabilities.

All persons who meet the above eligibility requirements must register to participate by submitting:

1. completed Athlete Registration Form, which contains medical information and certification. This form must be signed by adult athlete, parent or guardian and by a medical professional.
   
2. A completed Athlete Release Form, to be signed by an adult athlete or by the parent/guardian of a minor athlete concerning medical matters and permissions concerning publicity.
   
3. If applicable, a special release form for athletes or parents concerning the potential risks of Atlanto-axial instability in athletes with Down syndrome.

Finally, all athletes by virtue of registering with Special Olympics Maryland, agree to abide by the athlete Code of Conduct.

Athlete Code of Conduct