Overview

"I do my best and sometimes I win. I am proud because I tried"

                                           Shirley Givens-
                                           Special Olympics
                                           Tennessee Athlete
Special Olympics Tennessee conducts seven state championships every year and five regional events.  These events are the culmination of an athletes training and competition cycle for a specific sports season.

Winter Games - (Late January-Early February)
Over 150 athletes compete in alpine skiing, snowboarding and speed skating.  This annual event is held at the Ober resort in Gatlinburg, TN.  Ability levels in each sport range from beginner to advanced. 

State Basketball Tournaments - (February-March)
Over 50 teams compete in three state sanctioned tournaments (two regional-one state).  The state tournament for both Unified and Traditional Basketball is held at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN.  Teams are divided into divisions based on age, gender and ability level.

Summer Games - (Mid May)
Special Olympics Tennessee Summer Games is the largest event on the calendar with over 1000 athletes competing on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Athletics (Track & Field), Aquatics, Bocce,  Powerlifting, Tennis, and Volleyball.  The event includes an Olympic-style Opening ceremony at Lipscomb University that includes a parade of athletes, torch run, and live entertainiment.  The always anticipated victory dance concludes the event on Saturday night.

Golf Championships  - (April-September)
The Golf program features a yearly golf camp and six events. Levels of play include skills, 9 hole and 18 hole individual play and 9 hole alternate shot partner play.  Partners include but are not limited too parents, siblings, relatives, coaches..etc.
Special Olympics Tennessee

Flag Football- (September/October)
Flag Football is the newest sport being offered by Special Olympics Tennessee.   Flag football is a non-contact 5v5 sport.  Click here to see the rules.  Currently there is a state competition held in Nashville and a East TN Regional in Knoxville.

Bowling - (October)
Bowling has typically been one of the largest events in the state.  After being held for several years just north of Nashville the event has moved to Chattanooga. 

Soccer - (November)
Currently the State Soccer Tournament is held in Hendersonville, TN.  This one day tournament is a traditional and unified event.  Teams play 7v7 and the maximum roster size for a team is 12 athletes.

Regional Tournaments -
Special Olympics Tennessee currently offers five regional competitions designed to give athletes more opportunities to compete. West TN offers a regional bowling in January. Middle TN offers an aquatics event in January and a basketball tournament in March. East TN holds a basketball tournament in March and a flag football tournament in September.

Roller Skating, Gymnastics, Horseshoes, Equestrian and Softball are sports in which we do not currently hold state events.  However, some local area programs are participating in these sports on the local level.