NOMINATION PROCESS FOR NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL GAMES
There are no bigger stages than the Special Olympics World Games and the Special Olympics USA Games. It’s a level of competition achieved through hard work, dedicated training, progressive competition, and good fortune. But you might wonder how we nominate athletes for this honor. After all, there are thousands of athletes and Unified partners across Washington, but only a handful of spots.
So how do we make our final decision?
Special Olympics has developed a set of rules that govern advancement and the nomination process. Our General Rules for athlete advancement are grounded in this fundamental principle: Athletes of all ability levels have an equal opportunity to advance to the next higher level of competition. Each Special Olympics program is bound to fulfill these principles.
How does Special Olympics Washington determine which Sports will go to a National or International Games?
It all begins with a quota request! After a National or Internation Games is announced, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) will announce the Sports and opportunities that will be offered at the upcoming games. This usually happens 2-3 years prior to the games taking place. Special Olympics Washington will then complete an assessment of existing sports and submit a Quota Request to the Local Organizing Committee.
In order to apply for a sport, Special Olympics Washington MUST ensure that quality competition is being offered and are following the advancement criteria laid out in Article 1 of the Special Olympics General Rules. After this Special Olympics Washington will make decisions on what to apply for based on criteria such as, budget, amount of participation in a single sport, and in some cases, in order to build interest in a new or existing sport.
What happens once the Quota Request has been approved?
All Special Olympics accredited programs have the opportunity to submit a quota request for a National or International Games. Once the Quota Requests have been received, the local organizing committee has the work of assessing how many athletes they can possibly accept, the amount of athletes they can invite per sport, and the amount of requests they have received from programs.
While the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) tries it’s best to grant all the requests they receive, it is simply not possible. From that point, the LOC must make difficult decisions in deciding what sports each accredited program will receive. The LOC then provides each program a list of Sports and Events they will be provided in the form of Allocations.
Games to Games: What is the Process for selecting Athletes?
Advancement begins with allocations, which are essentially the number of spots available to Washington athletes or teams. In addition to quantity, allocations are further defined by gender, competitive ability, and sometimes specific events within the sport.
Next, we must nominate athletes in accordance with formalized Criteria for Advancement as defined by the Special Olympics General Rules, Article 3, section 3.06(e). This boils down to a few key factors:
- Eligibility: To be considered eligible, athletes must have participated at the previous level of competition prior to advancing to the next higher level. Athletes or teams may not be barred from advancement or omitted from the draw based on prior competition or advancement experience.
- Non-Athletic Considerations: We also evaluate allocations based on medical, behavioral, and judicial consideration. There will be a pre-screening that is completed for all eligible participants prior to the random draw to ensure everyone meets the required criteria.
- Performance: Priority is given to all first-place finishers from all divisions of the specific sport/event in consideration. We are required to do the same with second, then third-place finishers and so on until we have filled our allocations. If the number of eligible athletes and or teams exceeds the quota, athletes and teams are nominated by random draw.
- Alternate Selections: When nominations are made for national and international games, alternates may also be nominated. Typically for individual sports, there are primary athlete nominations, secondary athlete nominations and then the alternate athlete nominations. An alternate is an athlete who may step into the place of the primary athlete in the event the primary or secondary athlete cannot compete. This is usually due to sickness, injury, or unforeseen circumstances. An alternate is expected to train as if they are attending the Games, but they may not be called up to compete. We recognize there is uncertainty about being chosen as an alternate athlete and those that are selected may decline the opportunity if they choose.
What’s the Difference between “Nomination” and “Selection?”
We use the term “nomination” instead of selection because participants must successfully complete Team Trials (also known as Training Camp) to be officially selected or confirmed by the State or National Team. Team Trials involves many of the things participants will experience throughout the Games: long travels, extended time away from home, adapting to group schedules, and cohesion with coaches and teammates.
The goal of Team Trials is to ensure that participants who may represent Washington can work through these challenges without parents, family members or circle of care present.
“If only medal winners are eligible, how can each athlete get an equitable chance to advance to the next level of competition?”
The answer to this question is at the heart of our organization’s credibility. Special Olympics Divisioning Rules ensure equitable competition for all athletes at all skill levels. At every competition, athletes are separated into heats of 3 to 8 competitors, having been divided by gender, age, and ability (with ability being the most important consideration). All athletes are evaluated through qualifying scores and/or preliminary rounds and are paired in a division of equally skilled and capable opponents. Therefore, all award-winning athletes from all divisions have an equal chance at advancement.
Our divisioning process is one-of-a-kind and designed by Special Olympics to create an even playing field for all athletes of all abilities. For an in-depth look at this process, watch this video: Special Olympics – Divisioning
An Example in Action
Imagine Special Olympics Washington was granted a quota of one female cycling athlete to nominate for Team USA at World Games. First, we need to determine our eligible athletes. These eligible athletes will have competed in the previous State Games for cycling and placed first in their divisions. This imaginary pool may contain 25 cyclists of varying skill and strength depending upon their divisions. Each participant will go through a pre-screening process to ensure that the required selection criteria are met. Athletes that meet the pre-screening requirements will move forward and be added to the pool of athletes eligible to be randomly nominated to join Team USA. Once nominated, our lucky and deserving athlete will attend Team Trials. Upon successful completion of Team Trials, our cycling athlete is recognized and officially selected to join Team USA and to compete at World Games.
Things to Consider Before Applying:
- Length of Games – The World Games experience may span anywhere from 14 to 21 days. The length of time required depends on the location of the Games and the pre-Games experience. For many Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners, this length of time away from home can prove to be unsettling.
- Travel and Long Days – The distance required to travel to World Games destinations will be long and could require several days. Many times, this travel will involve differing modes of transportation, such as airplane, bus, and train. In addition to the travel days being long, the actual days during the Games will be long. It is realistic to expect multiple 12–15-hour days (sometimes consecutively). The general health and fitness of the athlete should be considered. Participants should expect to walk for extended periods of time, over various distances, and over multiple days.
- Adjusting to New Coaches – Coaches selected for the SO USA National Team come from across the country and it is rare for a World Games athlete/Unified partner to already know one of these coaches. Consider how well the athlete/Unified partner will adapt to a new coach, which may have a different coaching approach from their local coach.
- Importance of Local Support – Local coach and parent/guardian must be committed to ensuring the athlete/Unified partner is trained/prepared appropriately, as well as being proactive and responsive in communicating with SO USA coaches and staff, to include securing passports as soon as they are selected and meeting deadlines.
- Group/Adaptability – In order for the SO USA National Team to function well, all members must adhere to team rules and the team schedules. Often this means that a sport/team may need to adhere to a schedule as a group – meaning an athlete or Unified partner cannot dictate his/her own schedule. There will be times when schedules change with little or no notice and athletes/Unified partners must be able to adapt accordingly.
- Daily Living Skills – While coaches can provide daily reminders, athletes must be able to independently handle all toileting, showering and daily hygiene needs in an efficient manner. Athletes/Unified partners must be comfortable sharing living space with other team members of the same gender.
- Food/Diet – While accommodations are made for dietary restrictions such as diabetes, gluten-free, etc. Athletes/Unified partners will dine in settings which involve planned meals served to the group and while there will often be choices, it will be limited.
- Commitment to Training – Athletes and partners are expected to commit to their training, health and fitness leading into the Games. Being prepared to not only travel, but to compete internationally, is very important.
If you have any questions, please contact Tyler Bjork by email.