Special Olympics World Games

Since the first Special Olympics International Games in 1968, the world has transcended the boundaries of geography, nationality, political philosophy, gender, age, culture and religion to come together every two years for the Special Olympics World Games.

Alternating between summer and winter, the World Games have become the flagship event of the Special Olympics movement and have grown to be an international demonstration of inclusion, acceptance and unity.

Athletes

With World Games events, state Special Olympics programs are given a quota which includes how many athletes we may nominate which includes gender and sport as well as criteria for an athlete who is nominated (age requirement, travel requirements, expectations…). Based on this, we use our Advancement to Higher Levels of Competition guidelines to select an athlete or athletes depending on our quota.

Athletes nominated go through the initial registration process and then attend a SO USA training camp where they have the opportunity to meet the other athletes nominated, their potential coaches, train in their sport and be assessed as to whether they are the right fit for the World Games opportunity. Athletes attending the training camps are expected to travel with someone they are not familiar with to ensure they are able to have success traveling out of country with the SO USA team during World Games.

If an athlete is officially selected to be part of the SO USA delegation, they will complete the registration process and will be coached by an SO USA coach (most likely a coach from another state).

Coaches and Officials

As SONH does not have a part in organizing the SO USA team or the World Games, Coaches interested in applying to be a World Games coach apply through SO USA (not SONH) and sports officials interested in officiating at the World Games level will apply directly with the committee organizing the World Games.

World Winter Games Turin 2025

March 8-16, 2025

Italy has been selected as the host of the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

Special Olympics New Hampshire athlete, Scott McCullough has been selected to represent the Granite State as a snowshoe athlete competing with SO USA at the 2025 World Winter Games.

World Winter Games Santiago 2027

Santiago, Chile will host the 2027 Special Olympics World Games, marking the first time in the organization’s 55-year history that a World Games will take place in the Southern Hemisphere.

World Winter Games Switzerland 2029

March 6-17, 2029

The 2029 World Winter Games will be held in Graubunden, Chur, Arosa, Lenzerheide and Zurich, Switzerland.

Previous SONH World Games Participation:

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