FAQs

If you are new to Special Olympics or have questions about who we are and what we do, 

this is the place to find answers!

• What is Special Olympics?

For over 50 years, Special Olympics has grown from a modest program serving local athletes to become the world's largest movement dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion,

and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities through sport.

Special Olympics Ontario has optimized the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle through sport to improve the well-being of individuals with an intellectual disability.    

We continue to improve and expand the quality, opportunity and accessibility of sport to individuals with an intellectual disability. Along with this, we strive to improve upon both the awareness

and support of the community in regards to Special Olympics Ontario and those involved with us. As an organization, we work to ensure our volunteers are strongly committed to acting 

locally while thinking globally. Through these steps, we hope to continue to build upon the past success of the organization

• What is the difference in scope and responsibilities between my local Council, Special Olympics Ontario, and Special Olympics Canada? 

Special Olympics Canada and Ontario are the National and Provincial bodies that set policies, work with the government and sponsors, and manage the advancement process to Provincial, National and World Games.

The local Community Councils are a volunteer group that works to ensure all Toronto programming runs effectively and efficiently; that includes fundraising, event planning, social media and recruitment. The Community Councils work closely with staff members from the Provincial Office to make Special Olympics Toronto the best it can be.

• How do I register my child? 

The first step would be to create a Participant Profile here. Once the profile is complete, one of our Athlete Registrars will contact you to match you to a program.

• Where do I sign up for programs?

We do not have an online Registration system, please contact us via email to let us know what programs you are interested in.

Central: Ellen Jamieson - torontocentral.registrar@specialolympicsontario.ca

West: Isabella Garito - torontowest.registrar@specialolympicsontario.ca

North: Wayne Nguyen - torontonorth.registrar@specialolympicsontario.ca

East: Zill-e Gohar - torontoeast.registrar@specialolympicsontario.ca

• Who is eligible to participate?

Our mandate is to offer programming for athletes that have been diagnosed with an Intellectual Disability. If an individual is two years of age or older and is identified by an agency or professional as having an intellectual disability, then that person is eligible to participate as an athlete in Special Olympics. Ages 2-8 would participate in our Active Start and FUNdamentals programs. Sport programs have a minimum age of 8, and some programs (eg. swimming) have individual age and skill requirements.

• What if my athlete requires direct one-to-one support?

Sport clubs cannot offer one-to-one support due to the demands of coaches watching all athletes at the same time. If your athlete requires one-to-one support, we ask that a worker or family member accompany them to practice.

• What sports or programs are offered in Toronto?

Special Olympics Toronto offers over 50 programs in over 25 sports. A full list of our programs can be found here.

• Is there a cost to participate?

Each club has a different cost to participate; based on permit cost, equipment needs and other factors. A list of registration fees can be found here (note: all amounts are subject to change).

• Do I need to provide medical or diagnostic documentation?

We do not ask for proof of diagnosis to participate in Special Olympics programming.

Special Olympics Ontario requires comprehensive medical documentation, including an athlete information and medical history form, to ensure athlete safety. These documents, which detail medical conditions and medication needs, are essential for training and must be kept updated. 

• Are volunteers screened and trained?

Each one of our volunteers is required to take online training and obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check from Police Services.

• Can parents stay to watch practices?

Parents are welcome to stay to watch practices, unless the venue does not have space to accommodate. Anyone attending a Special Olympics practice or tournament is expected to follow the Spectator Code of Conduct.

• How do competitions work?

Local invitational competitions are organized and offered by the individual communities. The rules, format and registrations are decided by the organizers. Athletes should be registered by their club/coach and not approach the organizers directly. 

Each sport runs on a four-year cycle of eligibility and advancement, and the first two years of that cycle involves local competitions. If an athlete is interested in qualifying and advancing to Major Games, they need to attend one Special Olympics competition in Year One of the Cycle to establish their eligibility. In Year Two of the Cycle, those athletes that had established eligibility will be invited to a local Provincial Qualifier. These Provincial Qualifiers are run by local communities in consultation with the Provincial Office, to ensure the proper rules/format and equitable competition is being offered.

All athletes have the opportunity for advancement to Provincial, National and even World Games in the four-year cycle.

• Does my child need equipment or is it provided?

Sport clubs will do their best to provide shared equipment (softball bats, soccer balls, hockey sticks), but we ask that the athlete provide their own individual equipment (softball gloves, soccer cleats, swim trunks).

• How are athletes grouped for training and competition?

Competitions are structured so that athletes compete with other athletes of similar ability in equitable divisions, sometimes grouped by age and gender as well. Competition organizers will use the athletes' previous results, scores from a skill assessment, or mini-games at the beginning of the day to group similarly-skilled athletes/teams together for the official competition play.

• What safety measures are in place during practices and events?

Coaches work to make sure practices and drills are done in as safe an environment as possible. Each club should have an Emergency Plan of Action in place as well.

• How can parents get involved as volunteers or supporters?

We welcome anyone who wants to support our teams in any wany they can. To become an approved volunteer, there are a few steps:

1) Create a volunteer profile here.

2) As part of the volunteer profile, we ask for the following: home address, phone number, email address, emergency contacts and two non-family references

3) Complete the online Safe Sport training

4) Obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check from your local Police Services

• Who can I contact if I have more questions?

You can reach us via email:

Jeff Charlesworth, Provincial Office: jeffc@specialolympicsontario.com

Michael Chung, Provincial Office: michaelc@specialolympicsontario.com

Mackenzie Moore - Community Coordinator, Toronto Central: torontocentral@specialolympicsontario.ca

Sinan Keyder - Community Coordinator, Toronto North: torontonorth@specialolympicsontario.ca

Jacqueline Smith -  Parent Liaison, Toronto Central: torontocentral.parents@specialolympicsontario.ca

Mofe Boyo - Parent Liaison, Toronto West: torontowest.parents@specialolympicsontario.ca

Wenchie Clamor - Parent Liaison, Toronto North: torontonorth.parents@specialolympicsontario.ca

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