Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Special Olympics and Paralympics?
What are the different types of sport on offer in Special Olympics Ireland?
How does an athlete get involved in a Special Olympics Sports Event?
What age does an athlete have to be to compete in competition?
How are athletes grouped for competition?
Who can progress onto the next level of competition?
How is it decided which athletes go to the next level of competition?
Does the quickest or best score only advance?
What is Random selection?
What is honest effort?
How is Honest effort promoted to the athletes?
What can a coach do to ensure an athlete is not disqualified?
How does a coach make a protest?
Are certain qualifications needed by coaches?
Is Special Olympics planning to expand the range of sports offered?
Where can I find Special Olympics sports rules?
When do I apply the National Governing Body rules or the Special Olympics sports rules?
What awards are given at competitions?
Can I participate in multiple competitions?
Where can I find out about competition opportunities in my region/area?
Q: What is the difference between Special Olympics and Paralympics?
A: Special Olympics provide competition and training opportunities for athletes with an intellectual disability regardless of their ability levels. Paralympics provides competition opportunities for athletes with a physical or sensory disability at an elite performance level.
Q: What are the different types of sport on offer in Special Olympics Ireland?
A: Special Olympics Ireland offers 14 different sports plus a Motor Activities Training Programme. Special Olympics work closely with the National Governing Bodies for sport to ensure we provide quality sports coaching and competition for our athletes. The 14 sports on offer are alpine skiing, aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, kayaking, pitch and putt, and table tennis. Please click here for more information
Q: How does an athlete get involved in a Special Olympics Sports Event?
A: In order to participate at a Special Olympics Ireland event an athlete must be a registered athlete with a Special Olympics Club and have been training with the club for 8 weeks prior to the competition. A registered athlete is one who has completed and submitted an athlete participation form to the cub they wish to join. Registration for each event is completed by the club’s head coach who, in association with the athlete, volunteers and family members of the club will decide which event is most suitable for that athlete
Q: What age does an athlete have to be to compete in competition?
A: An athlete must be at least 8 years old before they can compete but athletes can begin training with a club when they are 6 years of age. There is no upper age limit.
Q: How are athletes grouped for competition?
A: Athletes are classified for competition by a process called divisioning. Divisioning is the process which ensures that athletes compete with other athletes of similar ability. The three key factors in divisioning are ability, age and gender. Please click here for more information on divisioning.
Q: Who can progress onto the next level of competition?
A: In Special Olympics Ireland, athletes have the opportunity to compete in competitions in all official sports and some developing sports. In order to progress from one level to another an athlete must have participated and been placed in the previous level of competition.
Athletes who are disqualified or who do not compete in their event are not eligible to advance in that event.
Q: How is it decided which athletes go to the next level of competition?
A: Advancement is the process by which athletes’ progress from one level of competition to the next in a four year cycle. For further information on advancement, please click here
Q. Does the quickest or best score only advance?
A: All eligible athletes, across all abilities, have an equal opportunity to advance to the next level of competition. Special Olympics offer the opportunity for every athlete, regardless of their ability, to participate in all levels of competition
Q. What is Random selection?
A: Random selection is the process by which athletes are selected to advance from one level to the next. Random selection is the fairest way of ensuring that all athletes of all ability levels have the chance to compete at the next level?
Q: What is honest effort?
A: Honest effort is when every athlete/team participates to the best of their ability regardless of the level of competition. Honest effort applies in every Special Olympics competition but is applied differently in specific sports. In timed and measured events athletes who perform more than 15% better than a qualifying or submitted score there is an automatic DQ. Please click here for more information.
Q: How is Honest effort promoted to the athletes?
A: Coaches are encouraged to explain the Honest Effort rule to all athletes, volunteers and family members in their club and ensure that the rule is understood by all. A small brochure is available that can be distributed to all members of a club. Click here to download.
Q: What can a coach do to ensure an athlete is not disqualified?
A: Coaches can ensure that their athletes are not disqualified by 1. Keeping records of the athlete’s performance over a number of training sessions and taking in to consideration an athlete’s performance in training as opposed to competition and
2. By updating an athlete’s score after the deadline for entry forms, but before the competition by submitting an improved performance form.
Q: How does a coach make a protest?
A: There is an official protests and appeals procedure at all Special Olympics competitions and only the head coach can make a protest. Protest forms are available from the sports information desks at each competition venue.
Q: Are certain qualifications needed by coaches?
A: All coaches are encouraged to undertake a coaching course arranged by the National Governing Body for their particular sport. Coaches are encouraged to update their qualifications on a regular basis and Special Olympics Ireland also offer a number of courses for coaches to gain added qualifications. For further information please click here.
In order to establish a Special Olympics Club there must be at least one qualified coach for their chosen sport in the club
Q: Is Special Olympics planning to expand the range of sports offered?
A: Special Olympics Ireland is not currently looking to expand the range of sports offered. Current priorities for the organisation are to enhance the quality of the programme that is currently offered.
Q: Where can I find Special Olympics sports rules?
A: Special Olympics Ireland sports are governed by the National Governing bodies for each sport. However, Special Olympics International also has their own sports rules which are specific to Special Olympics. Special Olympics Ireland is also bound by the general rules of Special Olympics International and in particular Article 1 which applies to sport. Rules that apply to each sport can be found on the sport specific pages of this website. Click here to enter.
Q: When do I apply the National Governing Body rules or the Special Olympics sports rules?
A: At area, regional and Special Olympics Ireland level, the relevant National Governing Body rules apply, except where there is conflict between these rules. In this situation, Special Olympics rules take precedence.
Q: What awards are given at competitions?
A: Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to athletes in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Place ribbons are also awarded to athletes finishing in 4th through 8th place.
Q: Can I participate in multiple competitions?
A: Yes, an athlete can participate in multiple competitions. However, there are occasions when this is not feasible as local rules may exist for a particular year or the timing of events may clash.
Q: Where can I find out about competition opportunities in my region/area?
A: You can find out about competition opportunities in your region/area on the Special Olympics website or by calling the Special Olympics region