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Special Olympics Louisiana (SOLA) offers sports training and competition across 14 Olympic-type sports to individuals with special needs. Athletes train over eight weeks and practice to compete in the State Games. SOLA follows sports training and competition guidelines set forth by Special Olympics, Inc. 

One of the main differences that sets Special Olympics apart from other sports organizations is divisioning. View this Divisioning video created by Special Olympics Inc.

Age Groups

An athlete’s age group is determined by the athlete’s age on the opening date of the Games or competition. The age of the oldest athlete on a team is used to determine the age group in which that team will compete. Depending on the type of competition (individual or team) and the sport, age groups may differ.

Maximum Effort Rule (formerly known as the Honest Effort Rule): Athletes are also expected to give maximum effort when competing. This is the only way the divisioning process can work as intended. Athletes who do not participate honestly and with maximum effort in all preliminary trials and/or finals violate the true spirit of competition and may even be disqualified from the competition. SOLA will use the maximum effort rule for state-level competition in aquatics (swimming) and athletics (track and field).

Sports We Offer

Additional Sports Opportunities

Unified
Sports

​​We promote social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences. Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team.

State Game Competitions

Special Olympics Louisiana sports competitions ensure that athletes of all abilities be given an equal chance to succeed and thrive at their chosen sport throughout the year.

Become a Unified Partner

Unified Partners join and compete against Special Olympics athletes on Unified Sports Teams. There is no better way to combine a love of sports with the rewards of volunteering!

Become
An Athlete

Special Olympics athletes are children and adults with intellectual disabilities who are like other athletes – they love to train, compete and do their best, whether they win or lose.

Local
Training Programs

LTPs are one or more athletes and Unified partners training together. Unless it's a Unified Champion Schools initiative, only athletes in LTPs can register for the competition.

Sports Resources

ATHLETE ADVANCEMENT PROCEDURE

Please click here to view the detailed procedure for athletes to advance from area to state-level competitions.

QUOTA DISTRIBUTION PROCESS

Please click here to view the detailed procedure for distributing an area quota for state-level competitions.

SPORTS RULES AND COACHING GUIDES

For sports rules, rules updates, coaching guides, and more, visit Special Olympics, Inc. (SOI).

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