Programs & Sports OfferedSee Also...
What Sports are Offered
Other Competitive Opportunities Outside Special OlympicsAs well, a few sports bodies have included parallel and integrated competitions for some of our athletes. This aspect of the relationship with other bodies is particularly satisfying and will continue to be promoted by SOM.
INAS-FID and CAAIDSIn 1986 the International Federation of Sport for People with Intellectual Disability (INAS-FMH from the original French title) was created to follow the principles of normalization and develop programs in competition that would parallel normative sport. In 1992 Special Olympics Manitoba was instrumental in the development and incorporation of the Canadian Association of Athletes with an Intellectual Disability (CAAID) to enable high performing athletes the opportunity to compete in open competition against their peers. CAAID became a member of INAD-FMH and the Canadian Paralympic Committee in 1993 thus gaining Canadian athletes with an intellectual disability access to Paralympic Games and International Paralympic World Championships. In 1992 Canada participated in the Madrid Paralympic Games, separate from the Barcelona Paralympics, in the sports of athletics and swimming. In 1994, CAAID sent three athletes and two coaches to the Paralympic Games in Lillihammmer. In 1996, CAAID send one athlete to the Atlanta Paralympic Games, a Canadian team member with other athletes with disabilities for the first time. In 1998, CAAID send three athletes and two coaches to the Paralympic Games in Nagano, Japan to compete and coach in the sport of cross-country skiing. All five were from Manitoba. In 1999 three athletes with an intellectual disability competed at the IPC World Track & Field Championships in Seville, Spain. In 2000, one athlete with an intellectual disability competed at the IPC World Cross Country Championships in Grans, Switzerland. Also in 2000, three athletes competed at the World Track & Field Championships. Jason Chartrand of Winnipeg placed 5th in the 1500M. In 2005 Ashlee McLeod competed at the INAS-FID World Swim Championships in Liberac, Czech Republic. Manitoba’s high level athletes with an intellectual disability continue to have excellent competitive opportunities all over the world at very high standards. CAAID has a cooperative relationship with Special Olympics Manitoba, which provides a small amount of funding to the organization annually. DivisioningThe fundamental difference which sets Special Olympics Manitoba competitions apart from those of other sports organizations is that athletes of all ability levels are encouraged to participate and every athlete is recognized for his of her performance. Competitions are structured so that athletes compete with other athletes of similar ability in equitable divisions. Procedures for DivisioningAn athlete's ability is the primary factor in divisioning Special Olympics Manitoba competitions. The ability of an athlete of team is determined by an entry score from a prior competition, a time submitted by the coach, or is the result of a seeding round or preliminary event at the competition itself. Other factors which are significant in establishing competitive divisions are age and gender.
Ideally, competition is enhanced when all divisions accommodate at least three (3) and no more than eight (8) competitors or teams of similar ability. Competitive OpportunitiesCheck this page out to see how athletes and coaches are representing Special Olympics Manitoba at various National and International competitions. Special Olympics Canada Games: Winter & SummerOn a two-year rotation, winter and summer, athletes and coaches from across Manitoba compete at the Special Olympics Canada National Games. In the winter, athletes compete in six official sports, curling, floor hockey, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, down hill skiing, figure skating, and speed skating. Swimming, athletics, 5 & 10 pin bowling, rhythmic gymnastics, power-lifting, soccer and softball are the eight official sports in the summer games. Canada Games:The Canada Games are held every two years, winter and summer. Special Olympics participates in the sport of figure skating (winter) and swimming (summer), along side their peers in generic sport. Western Canada Summer Games:The Western Canada Summer Games occur every four years. Special Olympics is currently involved in the sport of athletics. CAAIDS/INAS-FID:Special Olympics Manitoba was instrumental in the development and incorporation of the Canadian Association of Athletes with an Intellectual Disability (CAAID) to enable high performing athletes the opportunity to compete in open competition against their peers. INAS-FID, International Federation of Sport for people with Intellectual Disability (INAS-FMH from the original French title) follows the principles of normalization and develops programs in competition that would parallel normative sport. Special Olympics Manitoba athletes have the opportunity to participate in INAS-FID competitions world-wide, as well as the Paralympic Games. Minimum StandardsTo ensure a safe and appropriate environment for sport training, a number of minimum standards are required for all Special Olympics Manitoba programs. These programs include both the athletic club and the sport specific club. Special Olympics Manitoba programs must:
These standards are minimum requirements. Special Olympics Manitoba will provide all relevant support, training and materials. Maintenance of these standards will be monitored by the Sport Staff of Special Olympics Manitoba in conjunction with Regional Coordinators. |
