![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/239442_7d2c64d52cc94c2bab92416c2653243c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_43,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/239442_7d2c64d52cc94c2bab92416c2653243c~mv2.jpg)
Special Olympics
As part of our Community Connections Department, Miami County Special Olympics offers year-round individual and team sports for anyone with an intellectual disability ages 8 and older. Each program promotes athletes' emotional, physical and social health and instills a strong work-ethic and sense of teamwork.
​
Through successful experiences, athletes build confidence and a positive self-image which carries over into the classroom, job and community. For more about Special Olympics or how you can volunteer, contact us.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/239442_1bdf06c9590440f48f795306073193b2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_81,h_108,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/239442_1bdf06c9590440f48f795306073193b2~mv2.jpg)
![Magic_TransparentBackground.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/239442_8c0a2ab5a2b94ee988be7895acb1791c~mv2.png/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_217,h_231/fill/w_104,h_109,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Magic_TransparentBackground.png)
Getting Started
It is essential for all participants, coaches, officials and spectators to embrace good sportsmanship, as well as our agency values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork and Accountability.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/239442_f8a81154c0124055b8222548e3da6ad9~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_82,h_109,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/239442_f8a81154c0124055b8222548e3da6ad9~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg)
Our Motto
Welcome to Riverside where sportsmanship is an expectation! So please let the players play, let the coaches coach, let the officials officiate and let the spectators be positive.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/239442_a5beff0e202a4b1f9dae289359135e4c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_61,h_82,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/239442_a5beff0e202a4b1f9dae289359135e4c~mv2.jpg)
Modified
The sport is altered to make participation less challenging. For example, in Modified Volleyball athletes serve closer to the net and play with a larger, softer ball.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/239442_3218f23f1d03459d81c010da223f260a~mv2_d_2500_3500_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_61,h_86,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/239442_3218f23f1d03459d81c010da223f260a~mv2_d_2500_3500_s_4_2.jpg)
Unified
Athletes play alongside typically developing partners. For example, in Unified Golf the athlete and their partner alternate hitting the ball and are scored as a team.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/239442_8c0a2ab5a2b94ee988be7895acb1791c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_140,h_153,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/239442_8c0a2ab5a2b94ee988be7895acb1791c~mv2.png)