FAQ: Volunteers & Coaches

Q: How do I become a coach?

A: To become a coach please refer to our Coaching roles and Requirements for coaches website pages.

Q: When are Special Olympics Provincial, National, and World Games?

A: The Special Olympics Provincial, National, and World Games each alternate between Summer and Winter sports every two years. This means that a Provincial Games is offered every two years, alternating between the Summer and Winter sports. This is the same for both the National and International level.For more information on Special Olympics Games, please contact the provincial office.

Q: What is divisioning?

A: Divisioning is the process of dividing Special Olympics athletes into groups based on ability. Special Olympics divisioning process is different than that of any other sport body. To learn more about the divisioning process used within Special Olympics please refer to the divisioning policy in the policy manual

Q: What is the difference between Special Olympics and Paralympics?

Special Olympics and Paralympics are two separate organizations recognized by the International Olympic Committee.They are similar in that they both focus on sport for athletes with a disability and are run by international non-profit organizations.

Special Olympics welcomes all athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities, of a wide range of abilities, to train and compete in 32 sports. To be eligible to participate in Special Olympics, athletes must have an intellectual disability - either a cognitive delay or a development disability, that is, functional limitations in both general learning and adaptive skills. (They may also have a physical disability.)