Special Olympics Idaho - Games

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Special Olympics Idaho offers year-round sports training and athletic competition in 15 Olympic-type sports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Participation is open to anyone ages 8 and older, and programs are designed to serve all ability levels. There is no charge to participate in Special Olympics.

In all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender. Special Olympics Idaho also offers events for lower ability level athletes to train and compete in basic skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advancing to longer competitive events.

Special Olympics Idaho offers Unified Sports®, which brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to train and compete together. By providing all athletes the opportunity to participate, Unified Sports® develops specific athletic skills, builds confidence and self-esteem, and increases understanding of persons with differing abilities.

To learn more about an individual sport, please contact the Special Olympics Idaho chapter in your area.

Winter Sports (Regional) Alpine Skiing Nordic Skiing* Snowshoeing* Snowboarding	Summer Sports (Regional and State) Swimming* (Aquatics) Track & Field* (Athletics) Cycling* Powerlifting Basketball* Flag Football*
Fall Sports (Regional) Bowling Golf* Bocce* Softball*	Invitational Sports (State) Floor Hockey*

*Also offered in the Unified Sports® program

Alpine Skiing

Special Olympics also offers Alpine skiing events for beginner and lower ability level athletes to train and compete in basic Alpine skiing skills. These events include glide and walking events.

Events Offered:

Giant Slalom (Super) - SB
Giant Slalom - Novice
Giant Slalom - Advanced
Giant Slalom - Intermediate
Slalom - Novice
Super Glide
Slalom - Advanced
Slalom - Intermediate
Glide
10 M Walk

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Basketball

Basketball Coaching Guide
Basketball is a favorite among Special Olympics athletes. In addition to team competition, Special Olympics Basketball also offers individual skills competition, which allows athletes to train and compete in basic basketball skills. These events include target pass, ten-meter dribble and spot shot. A player's final score is determined by adding the scores together achieved in each of the events.

Events Offered:

Team - Traditional
Team - Unified (Competitive) Unified
Individual Skills Contest
Team - Unified (Development) Unified

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Bowling

Bowling is one of the fastest growing Special Olympics sports. Although there are some modifications made for athletes with physical disabilities, most athletes compete under the same rules and circumstances as athletes on a professional tour. In addition to offering traditional singles and doubles events, Special Olympics offers events for athletes with low ability levels to train and compete in basic bowling skills.

Events Offered:

Ramp Assisted
Ramp Unassisted
Singles

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Cycling

Cycling is an exciting sporting event that tones muscles and strengthens the cardiovascular system. Special Olympics offers events from 500 meter time trials to 10K road races.

Events Offered:

5 Kilometer Time Trial
5 Kilometer Road Race
15 Kilometer Road Race
1 Kilometer Time Trial
250 Meter Time Trial
500 Meter Time Trial
2 Kilometer Time Trial
5 Kilometer Unified Sports Tandem Time Trial Unified
10 Kilometer Time Trial
10 Kilometer Road Race
10 Kilometer Unified Sports Tandem Time Trial Unified

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Golf

Like most golfers, Special Olympics athletes are driven by the opportunity to compete. Program planning is designed to develop individual golf skills that enhance performance, allowing the athlete to achieve success in playing the game. The Special Olympics Golf program is centered on two educational phases designed to encompass all skill levels: learning to swing a golf club and learning to play the game. Athletes may participate in Skills and 9-hole stroke play.

Events Offered:

Individual Skills (Level 1)
Alt. Shot Team Play - 9 holes (Level 2) Unified
Individual Stroke Play - 9 holes (Level 4)

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Nordic Skiing

Nordic Skiing is a winter sport which promotes superior physical conditioning while providing enjoyment for athletes of all ages. Special Olympics Nordic skiing events are designed to be appropriate for athletes of every ability level. Individual events offered in Nordic skiing range from the 50 meter race to the 10K. In addition to these traditional events, Special Olympics offers events for lower ability level athletes to train and compete in basic Nordic skiing skills.

Events Offered:

3 K XC
1 K XC
500 M XC
10 M XC
25 M XC
50 M XC
100 M XC
4 x 1 K Relay XC
4 x 1 K Unified Relay XC Unified

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Powerlifting

Special Olympics Powerlifting is about much more than squats, bench presses and deadlifts. It is about barriers, perseverance and success. Training, determination and attitude determine the fine line between success and failure. The bar may test an athlete's physical abilities, but an internal desire to improve — to not settle for less — is the drive behind the strain and dedication of the sport. Special Olympics powerlifters are eligible to compete in three lifts: the bench press, the deadlift and the squat, or in combinations. Note that Special Olympics athletes must be 16 years of age before competing in powerlifting.

Events Offered:

Squat
Bench Press
Deadlift
Comb - Bench & Squat
Comb - Bench & Deadlift
Bench Press - Unified Unified
Deadlift - Unified Unified
Squat - Unified Unified

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Snowboarding

Snowboarding is not only one of the newer sports within the Olympic movement, but within Special Olympics too. The physical demands of this fast-paced sport are challenging for any athlete. At a minimum, snowboarding requires a combination of quick reflexes, good balance and strong physical fitness.

Events Offered:

Giant Slalom - Novice - SnowBoard
Giant Slalom - Advanced - SnowBoard
Giant Slalom - Intermediate - SnowBoard
Slalom - Novice - SnowBoard
Slalom - Advanced - SnowBoard
Slalom - Intermediate - SnowBoard
10 Meter Skate - SnowBoard
Glide - SnowBoard
Super Glide - SnowBoard

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Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is very similar to athletics and shares the same excellent cardiovascular workout as cross country skiing. Special Olympics Snowshoeing offers events for athletes of every ability level. Individual events offered in snowshoeing range from the 100 meter races to the 5K.

Events Offered:

25 M SS
50 M SS
100 M SS
200 M SS
4 x 100 M Relay SS
4 x 100 M Unified Relay SS Unified
1500 M SS

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Softball

Softball is an exciting team sport in Special Olympics. Athletes play slow-pitch Softball, which involves two teams of 10 athletes each. Special Olympics offers individual skills competition to allow athletes to train and compete in basic softball skills. These skills include base running, fielding and throwing. A player's final score is determined by adding together the scores achieved in each of the events.

Events Offered:

Slow Pitch - Unified Unified
Individual Skills Competition

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Swimming

Because of the wide array of swimming events offered, this sport is appropriate for a range of ages and ability levels. Swimming competition events are based on a variety of strokes.

Events Offered:

4 x 25 Meter Freestyle UNIFED Relay Unified
4 x 50 Meter Unified Freestyle Relay Unified
4 x 25 Meter Medley Relay
4 x 25 Meter Freestyle Relay
4 x 50 Meter Medley Relay
4 x 50 Meter Freestyle Relay
4 x 100 Meter Medlay Relay
4 x 100 Meter Freestyle Relay
4 x 200 Meter Freestyle Relay
15 Meter Walk
15 Meter Flotation
15M Kick Board
15 Meter Unassisted
10 Meter Assisted
25 Meter Flotation
50 Meter Freestyle
50 Meter Butterfly
50 Meter Breaststroke
50 Meter Backstroke
800 Meter Freestyle
1500 Meter Freestyle
400 Meter Freestyle
1500 Meter Freestyle
100 Meter Freestyle
100 Meter Butterfly
100 Meter Breaststroke
100 Meter Backstroke
25 Meter Freestyle
25 Meter Butterfly
25 Meter Breaststroke
25 Meter Backstroke
200 Meter Freestyle
200 Meter Butterfly
200 Meter Breaststroke
200 Meter Backstroke
200 Meter Individual Medley

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Track & Field

Track & Field events offer a wide range, from the 10 meter assisted walk to the 1500 meter, from the long jump to the shot put, relays and wheelchair events.

Events Offered: