The sport of athletics encourages athletes of all abilities and ages to compete at their optimum level. Through the track-and-field-based athletics training program, participants can develop total fitness to compete in any sport. As with all Special Olympics sports, athletics offers athletes the opportunity to learn through skill development and competitive settings and to be involved in large social settings. Athletics Programs in Washington State include individual skills, sprints, walking, long distance runs, jumping events, field competitions and more.
Athletics programs and competitions are offered in all 16 of Special Olympics Washington’s areas, and provide opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities.
Athletics was an event at the first Special Olympics International Games held in Chicago, Illinois in 1968.
Learn the rules of Athletics
Rules Sheet
Basin Area Director
Tim Toon (Interim Director)
Ttoon@sowa.org
Capitol Area Director
Cheyenne Baird (Interim Director)
Cbaird@sowa.org
Cascade Area Director
Punkie Doyle
CascadeAD@sowa.org
Columbia River Area Director
Barry Gill; Elizabeth Francis
Barry.gill@pkinetics.com; Elizabeth.francis@outlook.com
King County Area Director
Chad VanderPoel
Cvanderpoel@sowa.org
North Central Area Director
Tim Toon (Interim Director)
Ttoon@sowa.org
Northeast Area Director
Tim Toon
Ttoon@sowa.org
Peninsula Area Director
Wendy Bonham
PeninsulaAD@sowa.org
Pierce County Area Director
Cheyenne Baird (Interim Director)
Cbaird@sowa.org
Southeast Area Director
Lori Landrus
SoutheastAD@SOWA.org
Tri-Cities Area Director
Donna Tracy
Donnat@arcoftricities.com
Valley Area Director
Tim McDonald
Valleyad@sowa.org
Walla-Walla Area Director
Tracy Gaines
WallaWallaAD@sowa.org