Training and competition is offered at various levels in aquatics, athletics, basketball, tenpin bowling, equestrian, golf, powerlifting, alpine skiing, cross country skiing, and modified alpine skiing, soccer, sailing, and softball. Unified Sports opportunities are offered in soccer, softball, basketball and sailing. Eligible athletes are children and adults, at least eight years old, with mental retardation, a cognitive delay, or a closely related developmental disability.
Eligible athletes have functional limitations in both general learning and adaptive skills.
Students in Intensity Levels III VI are eligible, regardless of their classification. Children age six and seven may participate in Special Olympics training but may not compete. The program facilitates inclusion of Special Olympics athletes throughout the community. The vision of Special Olympics Maryland is to help bring Special Olympics athletes into the larger society under conditions whereby they are accepted, respected, and given the chance to become useful and productive citizens.