ATHLETICS
History Athletics is the oldest sport in SONC’s history as it was offered at the first games held in Burlington, NC in 1970. Athletics competition is held during Summer Games. Number of Local Programs Offering 102 local programs currently offer training in athletics. Events Offered Athletes may select events from Developmental or Lead-up & Wheelchair or Traditional but must stay within their section. Each athlete can compete in three individual events and athletes in the Traditional events may also compete in 1 relay event. Developmental: Wheelchair (10m) Assisted Walk (10m/25m) Race Walk (25m) Tennis Ball Throw Lead-up & Wheelchair: Wheelchair Race (25m/100m) Wheelchair Slalom (30m) Motorized Wheelchair Obstacle (25m) Motorized Wheelchair Slalom (30m/50m) Dash (25m/50m) Race Walk (50m) Softball Throw Standing Long Jump Wheelchair Shot Put Traditional: Dash (100m/200m/400m) Run (800m/1500m) Race Walk (100m/400m) 4 x 100m Relay Shot Put Running Long Jump Pentathlon
Competition Opportunities Area qualifiers State-level competition Penn Relays Marine Corps 10k Appropriate Attire and Equipment Uniform: o A loose fitting shirt or T-shirt o Appropriate length (non-basketball) shorts with a snug fitting waistband o Good fitting running shoes, or “spikes” that offer support o All relay members must wear the same color tops o No jeans or cut-offs Starter blocks o Athletes have the option of using or not using starting blocks in races up to and including the 400 meters o Please note that athletes and coaches must know the correct technique for using starting blocks if they choose to use them Governing Rules The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Athletics shall govern all Special Olympics competitions and can be found at www.specialolympics.org. Athletics sport rules dated January 2008 will be in effect for the 2008-2009 SONC program year and can be found at www.sonc.net under the resource library.
ATHLETICS
USA Track & Field is the National Governing Body for athletics in the United States and their rules can be found at www.usatf.org. SONC Interpretations and Modifications This section is intended to be used in conjunction with the NGB Rules and SOI Rules; therefore, those rules are not repeated here but they will be enforced unless in direct conflict to SONC modifications. Track Events o Athletes registered in the 50m dash may not register in the 50m walk o The 100-meter race walk and the 400-meter race walk events are for athletes who have been training with the proper race walking form and will be judged accordingly. Athletes will be disqualified if they are not using the correct technique. o Relay teams Alternates may be named to relay teams with the understanding that they have the slowest leg time. Indicate relay leg times for all relay participants, including the alternate, on the registration forms for the area qualifiers and state-level competition Alternates must have a recorded time in the 100m dash from a qualifier. Field Events o The standing long jump, running long jump, softball throw, and shot put will use the nonconsecutive rotation system. o Softball and tennis ball throw Athletes will have the opportunity to throw for distance three times. The best of those three throws will be measured.1 o The Pentathlon Athletes competing in the Pentathlon cannot register for additional individual events, but are eligible to compete on relay teams. Special Notices Participation in a qualifier is mandatory to be eligible for state-level competition. Should a qualifier be cancelled, a make-up qualifier will be scheduled regionally or by area based upon the cancellation. Programs registered for the cancelled qualifier are required to attend either the make-up qualifier or one of the other scheduled qualifiers. Programs with athletes unable to compete at a qualifier (with a valid, SONC approved reason) will be permitted to register them for the make-up qualifier. Event Registration Qualifiers (please submit to the appropriate sport director by the registration deadline): o Qualifier entry form o Qualifier relay entry form Summer Games (please submit to the appropriate area director by the registration deadline): o Summer Games Athletics entry form o Summer Games Athletics relay entry form
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Modification of SOI Summer Sports rules Section B. 2. a.