Athletics

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.

Local Community Contacts

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

Upcoming Athletics Events