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Polar Plunges across the state take place in January and February. Register now!
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Rogen Bonn and Unified partner Cole Ballweber share how Unified Sports makes them better
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  • About Us

    Special Olympics is a movement built on inclusion, where every person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability. We are helping make the world a better, healthier, and more joyful place through the power of sport.
    • Our Mission The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
    • Meet Our Team Committed to delivering top-notch sports competitions and various experiences for individuals with intellectual disabilities, our team is devoted to advancing the mission of Special Olympics throughout the state of Tennessee. The shared objective of the Special Olympics Tennessee (SOTN) staff is to provide sports and programs that empower athletes to acquire new skills, lead healthy lifestyles, and actively engage in their communities. Feel free to reach out to us for additional information or with any inquiries
    • Special Events Special Olympics Tennessee hosts several fundraising events throughout the year to help support the more than 18,000 athletes in the state of Tennessee. We hope you can join us for any of our special events as a participant or volunteer.
    • News Our athletes are making headlines! Read below for stories of empowerment, inclusion, hope and respect within Special Olympics Tennessee and the broader Special Olympics global community.For media inquiries, please contact Justin Bradford at [email protected]. View our press kit here.
    • Our Partners Active across the state, reaching more than 18,000 athletes and volunteers, Special Olympics Tennessee is a movement that changes lives. Our Programs succeed in building advocacy networks, transforming lives, and creating a lasting positive impact.

      Corporate partnerships with Special Olympics Tennessee strengthen partners' brand value, engage employees, build consumer loyalty and promote business objectives while helping us deliver our mission. We offer partnership packages at various levels and have opportunities to support in various ways to help raise awareness and fund the movement, ultimately strengthening the company and employees along the way.

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    Upcoming Events

    Become An Athlete

    Special Olympics Tennessee (SOTN) offers sports training and competition in 16 Olympic-style sports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Individuals eight years old and up can compete in local and state competitions. The Young Athletes program is available for children with and without intellectual disabilities, ages 2-7

    Polar Plunge

    January & February. Join us and hundreds of other brave souls across the state for the coolest thing you'll do in 2025. Whether you jump, run, or tiptoe in you'll be helping us build a bigger, better and COOLER community for 18,000+ Special Olympics athletes.

    Become A Volunteer

    Special Olympics Tennessee would not exist today and could not have been created without the time, energy, and dedication of thousands of volunteers.

    Inclusive Health & Wellness

    Tennessee offers 7 different and free Healthy Athletes screenings and health education throughout the year.

    Beyond Sports

    Our reach extends beyond the playing field! Sport, health, and education programming enriches the lives of more than 18,000 participating athletes.
Latest Blogs

New Faces From Williamson County Join NSC Unified Team

Braden Jenkins and Kathryn Morphy are excited to compete and represent on the pitch
1 Min Read

Rutherford County Rockstars Enjoy Unified Experience at Basketball Regionals

Match ends in tie with fellow Unified team from Cheatham County
1 Min Read

Fisher Siblings Return to Nashville SC Unified Team

The brother and sister duo enjoyed signing day ceremonies at GEODIS Park
1 Min Read

Dobyns-Bennett Wins TSSAA Unified Bowling State Championship

Unified team from Kingsport brings home a state title
1 Min Read
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Make a Difference

Please donate and help us get one more athlete onto the playing field.
Donation Amount

Unified Champion Schools

The Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program is aimed at promoting social inclusion through intentionally planned and implemented activities affecting systems-wide change.
Special Olympics Tennessee
Our reach extends across Tennessee and brings sport, health and education programs to individuals with intellectual disabilities.

16

Sports Offered

36

Area Programs

18,000

Registered Athletes