eligibility & requirements

Age Requirements:

Athletes are eligible to participate starting at age 8. While there is no set age limit for competing in Special Olympics, LMSO follows IHSAA rules for sports participation. 

IHSAA Guidelines:

Athletes can participate until the day before they turn 20 years old. If they are under the age of 20 and receiving 4+ services, they are eligible to participate. 

If a student is going to participate and turns 20 during the school year, a decision will need to be made regarding what LMSO sports they will participate in before switching to Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation. 

After LMSO, the local Special Olympics team is through Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation. 

Eligibility:

Athletes must have one or more of the following conditions that have been identified by a professional/agency in order to participate in Special Olympics:

• a developmental disability;

• a cognitive delay; or 

• an intellectual disability 

Required Forms:

All athletes who wish to participate in LMSO need to submit the Athlete Registration Form. This includes the Athlete Registration, Athlete Renewal Form, and the Participant Release Form. 

• Athlete Registration Form must be renewed every 3 years.

• Athlete Renewal Form is required for any athlete who has a change/update to contact information or health history before the expiration of the Athlete Registration Form.