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.
Participants will be divisioned by Special Olympics South Dakota by gender, age, and qualifying time and/or distance for each event.
This sport offers a Unified option. This gives individuals both with and without intellectual disabilities a chance to compete on the same team.
Coaches: registrations will be due to your Area Director on April 8th.
Sports certifications must be updated every three years. Please click here to verify which coaching level you are at and take the proper courses to recertify your coaching status.
Coaching Forms
- Special Olympics South Dakota General Information
- Special Olympics South Dakota Sports Specific Information
- Uniform Guidelines
- Athlete Registration Form
- Class A Volunteer Form
- General Forms
Track Events
- 100 Meter Dash, 200 Meter Dash, 400 Meter Dash, 800 M Run, 1500 Meter Run, 3000 Meter Run, 4X100 Meter Relay (Traditional or Unified), 4X400 Meter Relay (Traditional or Unified)
The following are events for athletes with lower ability levels to provide more meaningful competition:
- 50 Meter Dash, 50 Meter Walk, 10 Meter Race (Device or Assisted), 25 Meter Race (Device or Assisted), 50 Meter Assisted Walk
Pentathlon (100 Meter Run, Running Long Jump, Shot Put, High Jump, and 800 Meter Run)
Field Events
- Running Long Jump, High Jump, Shot Put, Mini-Javelin
The following are events for athletes with lower ability levels to provide more meaningful competition:
- Softball Throw, Tennis Ball Throw, Standing Long Jump, MATP Tennis Ball Throw
Wheelchair Events
- 100 Meter Wheelchair Race (motorized and non-motorized), 200 Meter Wheelchair Race (motorized and non-motorized), 10 Meter Race (motorized or non-motorized), 25 Meter Race (motorized or non-motorized), 30 Meter Slalom Race (motorized or non-motorized), 2X25 Meter Wheelchair Relay
Competition Season
Athletics competition season takes place from March through May.
Special Olympics South Dakota Athletics Handbook
Good sportsmanship is both the coach’s and athlete’s commitment to fair play, ethical behavior and integrity. In perception and practice, sportsmanship is defined as those qualities which are characterized by generosity and genuine concern for others. Below we highlight a few focus points and ideas on how to teach and coach sportsmanship to your athletes. Lead by example.