The sport of athletics encourages athletes of all abilities and ages to compete at their optimum level. Through the track-and-field-based athletics training program, participants can develop total fitness to compete in any sport. As with all Special Olympics sports, athletics offers athletes the opportunity to learn through skill development and competitive settings and to be involved in large social settings.

Summer: March through June, with State Summer Games in June

Governing Body: USA Track & Field

Basketball is a one of the top sports at Special Olympics. Players take it up at all ages and at all abilities, from young players learning to handle the ball and keep it under control while dribbling to older, more experienced players who have the moves and know the strategies to play challenging ball.

Summer: March through June, with State Summer Games in June

Governing Body: National Federation of State High School Associations

Ten-pin Bowling commonly called "Bowling" in the US, is a competitive sport in which a player (the "bowler") rolls a bowling ball down a wooden or synthetic lane with the objective of scoring points by knocking down as many pins as possible. Bowling is considered to be among the most popular sport in the Special Olympics. It is a particularly beneficial sport to people with intellectual disabilities, irrespective of their age or sports abilities, since it ensures physical exercise and at the same time participation and social integration.

Summer: March through June, with State Summer Games in June

Governing Body: USA Bowling

Artistic Gymnastics is a discipline of gymnastics where gymnasts perform short routines (ranging from approximately 30 to 90 seconds) on different apparatus, with less time for vaulting.

Summer: March through June, with State Summer Games in June

Governing Body: USA Gymnastics

Note: Gymnastics coaches have specialized training and extensive experience

Every athlete aims in lifting more weights than the opponent using specific moves. In Special Olympics Powerlifting is much more than deadlift, squat or bench press. It is effort, persistence and loyalty. Training, determination and attitude, are the key facts that define the balance between a successful or a failed attempt. The barbell, despite testing the physical strength, is also highlighting the athlete’s inner wish to improve, “not to make compromises.”

Summer: March through June, with State Summer Games in June

Governing Body: USA Powerlifting

Note: Powerlifting coaches have specialized training and extensive experience

Swimming is one of the most popular sports in world. Unlike other sports, swimming is a life skill that is taught, first, to ensure safety and, secondly, for sports and competition purposes. Aquatics covers a great variety of swimming skills, from short sprints to longer events and relays.

Summer: March through June, with State Summer Games in June

Governing Body: USA Swimming Note: Aquatics coaches have specialized training and extensive experience

Tennis is a popular sport played by players of all ages, at all levels of ability. Athletes are trained in all aspects of the game, including stroke production, court craft and the rules of competition.

The sport emphasizes values, such as fair play, sportsmanship and respect for fellow competitors. Tennis is not only fun to play, but it is a lifetime sport activity that is fun to practice and fun to learn.

Summer: March through June, with State Summer Games in June

Governing Body: Tennis Federation (ITF)

The game of volleyball is attractive to all types of players, from competitive to recreational, young and old. To play volleyball players need to acquire a few basic skills, learn a few rules, require very little equipment, and can play the game almost anywhere – from the beach to the gym. The aim of the sport is to score more points by hitting the ball with the hands and sending it over the net to the opponent's court.

Summer: March through June, with State Summer Games in June

Governing Body: USA Volleyball