Become an Athlete
How to Become an Athlete
STEP 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
When you join Special Olympics Pennsylvania, you're joining a group of strong, ambitious competitors. Special Olympics athletes are eight years old or older and have an intellectual disability, a cognitive delay or a developmental disability.
STEP 2: Complete Your Registration
To become eligible for Special Olympics Pennsylvania training, competition, and programming, a Medical Form is required. The Medical Form requires a physical examination by a physician or authorized medical personnel (not a nurse or EMT). The form is valid for 3 years from the date of the physician or authorized medical personnel signature. The Special Olympics Pennsylvania Medical Form must be used. School or agency medical forms will NOT be accepted.
Select your region below for your specific athlete registration process…
Please Print & Complete the Athlete Registration
>> ATHLETE REGISTRATION <<
Once your Medical Form has been signed, please email it to us at region1@specialolympicspa.org or mail it to us at 8161 Oliver Road, Erie, PA 16509
If you have any questions, please email Doug Chuzie at dchuzie@specialolympicspa.org
For a Spanish language version of the athlete medical, follow this link.
Para obtener una versión en español del médico del atleta, siga este enlace.
Already a registered athlete? Head to our Sports Signups Page to get started today!
Other Programs Offered
Young Athletes (ages 2 to 7)
Unified Sports
Athletes are the heart of Special Olympics. Our athletes are children and adults with intellectual disabilities from all across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania —13,000 and counting! They find success, joy and friendship as part of our community, as well as receive opportunities to improve their health, fitness and develop leadership skills.
Special Olympics Pennsylvania organizes and runs year-round athletic training and competitions in 21 sports each year for athletes of all ages at no cost to our participants.
Welcome to Special Olympics Pennsylvania!
“My greatest Special Olympics experience was when I received my very first gold medal for the 100 meter dash. I felt like I could take on the world while standing on the podium waiting to receive my medal.”
- Raymond Anderson, Special Olympics Pennsylvania Athlete