The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics Athletes and their communities.
Special Olympics Mississippi
Special Olympics History
The concept of Special Olympics began in the early 1960s when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for individuals with intellectual disabilities. From that experience it was clear that people with intellectual disabilities were far more capable in sports and physical activities than many experts believed. In 1968, Mrs. Shriver organized the first International Special Olympics Games at Soldier Field in Chicago, where 1,000 athletes from the United States and Canada competed in track and field events and aquatics.
That same year, Eunice Kennedy Shriver visited Ellisville State School in Jones County and 150 athletes participated in track and field events at the first Special Olympics games in Mississippi, held at the University of Southern Mississippi. Special Olympics Mississippi officially incorporated and was recognized by the State of Mississippi in August 1975.
Become An Athlete
Join the 7,000 active athletes who compete every year across the state! Any individual eight years or older who has been identified by an agency or professional as having intellectual disabilities, cognitive delays as measured by formal assessment, or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay that require or have required specially designed instruction, is eligible to compete.
To become an athlete, download and fill out the applications listed below. Please note several of the forms are more than one page.
Become A New Athlete
Special Provisions Regarding Medical Treatment (RELIGIOUS OBJECTIONS FORM)
Become A Coach
Coaches teach the skills and spirit that define a true athlete. Coaches are role models and character-builders. Special Olympics coaches go even further — they help athletes with intellectual disabilities find their own strengths and abilities. They also show them how to build upon those strengths and improve every day.
Coaches also get a lot in return. They get to know athletes who inspire — athletes who are brave and determined, despite the odds against them. Coaches become more than teachers, mentors and role models — they are seen as leaders in the community.
To become a coach:
1. Complete the SOMS Coaches Certification
2. Download your Certificate
3. Email your paperwork to the local area director.
Become An Official
We encourage everyone officiating Special Olympics competitions to become certified in their sport and provide an opportunity for anyone interested, including Special Olympics athletes, to become a certified Special Olympics sport-specific official.
The Special Olympics Officials Training and Certification process consists of three parts.
Officials with a National Governing Body (NGB) officials’ certification and/or an International Sport Federations (ISF) officials certification should participate in Part 1, which provides an introduction to Special Olympics, officiating Special Olympics events and any necessary rules and sport equipment modifications, and Part 3, which entails officiating 10 hours or five Special Olympics sport-specific competitions under the observance of an experienced Special Olympics official and/or competition staff member.
Those individuals with neither a NGB nor an ISF officials certification must also complete Part 2 of the process, which focuses on the competition venue, games management and the various officiating positions of the sport.
When participants in the training process have completed all the requirements, they must complete the Special Olympics Sports Training Certification form; have a local Program staff member sign off on the completion requirements; and send the completed form to the Program office
Become A Volunteer
Special Olympics is run almost entirely by volunteers. Over 7,000 volunteers provide manpower for Special Olympics Mississippi. Our volunteers include people from all walks of life – high school and college students; retirees; members of civic and fraternal groups; amateur and professional athletes; sports officials and coaches, teachers, parents, and law enforcement personnel.
- Coaching
- Competitions
- Competition & Event Planning/ Management
- Fundraising
- Medical
- Office Support
- Public Relations
- Sports Management
- Sports Volunteers
Special Olympics requires all volunteers to participate in the Protective Behavior Training.