Return to Activities

Updated on January 21, 2022

Protecting the health and safety of the Special Olympics Washington community is our top priority. Due to rising COVID-19 case rates throughout the state, winter season will be modified including the difficult decision to cancel our 2022 State Winter Games in March.

For the remainder of this season, our efforts will be focused on meeting teams where they are by providing modified regional competitions and virtual opportunities, as well as working with programs to host local competitions. The new schedule will be published the week of January 17. Please read our winter season update for more information.

• Basketball – All community basketball competitions will be postponed until mid-February to early March. Coaches: the deadline for basketball final registration has been pushed back to January 25.
• Alpine & Snowboarding – There are no changes to the Westside Regional competition. The Eastside Regional competition has been canceled due to low participation.
• Skating, Cheerleading, Cross Country & Snowshoeing – Special Olympics Washington staff will be contacting programs directly to organize modified regional and local competitions.
• Unified Champion Schools – Unified Champion Schools will continue with the regular scheduled league play season and district competitions. Unified basketball teams will continue to follow school protocols and testing until further notice. At this time, there is no change to the existing Unified Champion Schools basketball schedule or paperwork deadlines.
• Fundraising Events – Polar Plunge events will continue with the scheduled event dates. However, in-person activities will be modified. More information can be found at PolarPlungeWA.com.
• Virtual Resource Fairs – Join us for monthly virtual Resource Fairs to stay connected to athletes and have fun! Topics include healthy cooking, wellness, and more! Resource Fairs will be held on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. Learn more here.

We encourage and strongly recommend that all individuals participating in Special Olympics Washington activities get vaccinated if they can and to continue wearing masks to protect themselves and others.

Athletes, parents and caregivers: please check with your coach or area director to confirm the specific sports that will be offered in your area this season.

Our return to in-person activities, including training and local/regional/state competitions, is subject to change based on developments with the COVID-19 pandemic and guidance from state and local health authorities. For more information, please contact rta@sowa.org or call our Athlete Hotline at (206) 578-3335.

Virtual Athletics Event

Special Olympics Washington is offering a Virtual Athletics event for all athletes to participate in. Athletes may participate as an individual, or with their team. Registration is not required to participate in this event. Submit final times and distances by, March 6, 2022.

• Score Card
• Event Overviews
  • SOWA-VSG-EventOverview-Athletics-5KRace
  • SOWA-VSG-EventOverview-Athletics-25MManualWCRace
  • SOWA-VSG-EventOverview-Athletics-25MMotorizedWCObstable
  • SOWA-VSG-EventOverview-Athletics-50MRace
  • SOWA-VSG-EventOverview-Athletics-100MRace
  • SOWA-VSG-EventOverview-Athletics-StandingLongJump
  • SOWA-VSG-EventOverview-Athletics-TennisBallThrow
  • SOWA-VSG-EventOverview-Athletics-WCTennisBallThrow
• How-To Videos
  • Track Events (50M, 100M, 5K)
  • Field Events (Tennis Ball Throw, Standing Long Jump)

General Resources for All

• • 2022 Winter Season Update Announcement (January 2022)
  • Special Olympics Washington Statement on Vaccine Mandates (Current as of November 2021)
  • Athlete Registration Packet (Current as of September 2021)
  • Unified Partner Registration Packet (Current as of May 2021)
  • Return To Activities – Resources for Sport Risk (2021)
  • COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct
  • COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct and Risk Form (Spanish; June 2021)
  • COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct Explainer Video
  • COVID-19 Waiver Form
  • Code of Conduct and Waiver Form Addendum
  • COVID-19 Resource Page – Center for Disease Control & Prevention
  • COVID-19 Vaccine – Washington State Department of Health
  • COVID-19 Testing – Washington State Department of Health
  • Washington State COVID19 Reopening Phases – Office of The Governor
  • COVID-19 Vaccine: Myth-vs-Fact
  • What to do if exposed to COVID-19
  • What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine
  • COVID-19 – Identifying High-Risk Participants
  • How to Wear a Face Mask
  • Special Olympics Strong Minds Workbook & Mental Health Resource Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

• • COVID-19 Vaccine and Screening Protocols
  • Winter Season Risk Levels and Timeline **Coming soon**
  • Winter Season Sports and Registration **Coming soon**
  • Coaches Training**Coming soon**
  • Sports Specific and On-Site Screening

Coaches Resources

• • Winter Season Return to Activities Guide (Current as of November 2021)
  • Winter Season Registration Packet (Current as of December 3, 2021)
  • Fitness & Wellness Programs Webpage
  • COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct
  • COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct Explainer Video
  • Preparing the Venue Video
  • COVID-19 Training in a Safe Environment
  • Travel to Activity and Onsite Screening Video
  • Coaching Adjustments Video
  • Coaches Trainings
    • Registration Training – December 8 @ 5:00pm (Recording)
    • Registration Tutorials
      • Registration Participation Roster
      • Individual Registration Form Results Report
      • Final Registration Roster

Volunteers Resources

• • Training Videos **Coming soon**
  • Contact Tracing Form
  • Screening and Tracking Form

Fundraising Resources

• • Fundraising Return to Activities Guide (Current as of July 2021)
  • Fundraising Return to Activities Approval Form

Wellness Coordinator Resources

• • COVID Safety Training for Wellness Coordinators *Coming soon*
  • COVID-19 Participant Code of Conduct
  • COVID-19 Waiver Form
  • Fitness & Wellness Programs Webpage