Our mission
The mission of Special Olympics Ohio is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type 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.
Eligibility
Athletes must be at least eight years of age and identified by an agency or professional as having one of the following conditions: intellectual disability, cognitive delays as measured by formal assessment or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay that requires or have required special instruction.
Participation Benefits
Special Olympics contributes to the athletes’ physical, social, and psychological development. Through successful sports experiences, they gain confidence and build a positive self-image that carries over into the classroom, home, job, and community.
Available Sports & Seasons
To participate, contact Tabitha Butcher prior to the season.
- Basketball (November)
- Bocce Ball (Early April)
- Flag Football (September)
- Soccer (Early April & September)
- Softball (July)
- Swimming (October)
- Track & Field (Early April)
- Unified Golf (July)
- Volleyball (April)
For more information, to participate, or to volunteer contact:
Tabitha Butcher
Manager, Community Services
tbutcher@marioncountydd.org
(740) 375-6185
The Marion County Board of Development of Disabilities Special Olympics program is particially funded through several grands and community donations. We would like to thank some of our community partners for their committment to this programs success. They are:
- Knights of Columbus Marion Chapter
- Marion Community Foundation
- United Way of North Central Ohio
- Marion Rotary Foundation