Can volunteers date Special Olympics athletes?
Special Olympics prohibits any Special Olympics volunteer (excluding spouses of athletes and athletes who are one-day volunteers) from dating or having a sexual relationship with any Special Olympics athlete. In the event that Special Olympics New Hampshire learns of any dating or sexual relationship, the organization immediately shall require either:
- That the volunteer end his or her association with Special Olympics; OR
- That the association between the volunteer and Special Olympics be terminated.
In the case of a Special Olympics athlete who is also a volunteer, Mary Conroy, President will evaluate the circumstances on a case-by-case basis and determine if an authority relationship exists between the volunteer athlete and the competing athlete. If it is determined that there is such a relationship, then apply the above policy in the same manner as the policy is applied to non-athlete volunteers.
Special Olympics respects the right of athletes to have the full range of human relationships available to other human beings. This policy shall not be interpreted as a limitation on the rights of athletes, but only as a restriction on Special Olympics volunteers.
If you hear about, suspect or have knowledge of a breach to this policy, it must be reported immediately to Mary Conroy, President at (603) 770-4055.
*The terms “Special Olympics athlete” and “athlete” refer to persons with intellectual disabilities. The term “volunteer” includes Unified Partners.