Special Olympics Washington Sports Programs
2815 Second Avenue, Suite 370, Seattle, WA 98121
About
Special Olympics Washington Sports Programs offers a wide range of sports, including Alpine, Athletics, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Cheerleading, Cross Country Skiing, Cycling, Figure Skating, Flag Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Pickleball, Powerlifting, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Soccer, Softball, Speedskating, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball and Unified Sports. The program also includes Team Washington, Young Athletes, and activities that introduce basic sport skills such as running, kicking and throwing.
• Ages: 2–18 years old
• Schedule: Special Olympics Washington provides an Activity Guide, equipment and other resources to volunteers interested in beginning the 8-week program in schools, homes or community settings.
• Price: Athletes participate at no cost to themselves or their families.
Special Olympics Young Athletes is a sport and play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities ages 2 to 7 years old, and children of all abilities take part in Young Athletes. Young Athletes introduces basic sport skills like running, kicking and throwing, and offers families, teachers, caregivers and people from the community the chance to share sports with children. Special Olympics Washington provides an Activity Guide, equipment and other resources to volunteers interested in beginning the 8-week Young Athletes program in schools, homes or community settings.
Persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, regardless of ability level, are welcome to participate in sports and other programs offered by Special Olympics Washington. Individuals are eligible for training and competition at age eight and there is no upper age limit. Training and competition is offered year-round, and competition takes place at local, regional and state tournaments. Individuals and teams compete in divisions according to age, gender and ability.
Special Olympics was started by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968. The mission of Special Olympics Washington is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Special Olympics Washington commits to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible community that empowers individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities to celebrate their similarities and differences, and through its programming, it fosters a community of belonging and inclusion for all. Special Olympics Washington is a Four-Star Charity on Charity Navigator.
Special Olympics tackles the health inequities faced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through programs that ensure ongoing access to quality, community-based health care services, including free health screenings at competitions and other venues. Athlete Leaders develop their leadership skills through regular leadership trainings and by participating on local Athlete Leadership Councils. The Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program promotes social inclusion through intentionally planned and implemented activities, and with sports as the foundation, it brings together students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities for activities that equip young people with tools and training to create sports, classroom and school climates of acceptance.
Last updated February 28, 2026.
• Ages: 2–18 years old
• Schedule: Special Olympics Washington provides an Activity Guide, equipment and other resources to volunteers interested in beginning the 8-week program in schools, homes or community settings.
• Price: Athletes participate at no cost to themselves or their families.
Special Olympics Young Athletes is a sport and play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities ages 2 to 7 years old, and children of all abilities take part in Young Athletes. Young Athletes introduces basic sport skills like running, kicking and throwing, and offers families, teachers, caregivers and people from the community the chance to share sports with children. Special Olympics Washington provides an Activity Guide, equipment and other resources to volunteers interested in beginning the 8-week Young Athletes program in schools, homes or community settings.
Persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, regardless of ability level, are welcome to participate in sports and other programs offered by Special Olympics Washington. Individuals are eligible for training and competition at age eight and there is no upper age limit. Training and competition is offered year-round, and competition takes place at local, regional and state tournaments. Individuals and teams compete in divisions according to age, gender and ability.
Special Olympics was started by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968. The mission of Special Olympics Washington is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Special Olympics Washington commits to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible community that empowers individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities to celebrate their similarities and differences, and through its programming, it fosters a community of belonging and inclusion for all. Special Olympics Washington is a Four-Star Charity on Charity Navigator.
Special Olympics tackles the health inequities faced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through programs that ensure ongoing access to quality, community-based health care services, including free health screenings at competitions and other venues. Athlete Leaders develop their leadership skills through regular leadership trainings and by participating on local Athlete Leadership Councils. The Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program promotes social inclusion through intentionally planned and implemented activities, and with sports as the foundation, it brings together students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities for activities that equip young people with tools and training to create sports, classroom and school climates of acceptance.
Last updated February 28, 2026.
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