The Special Olympics is sports training and
competition program founded by the Joseph
P. Kennedy Foundation for athletes ages 8
and over who are intellectually disabled.
The City of Mesa and MASD serve as the Mesa
delegation of Special Olympics Arizona, the
state chapter charged with providing year-round
sports training and competitions for the entire
state. MASD is a separate non-profit organization
dedicated to providing adaptive sports and
recreation to individuals with intellectual
disabilities in Mesa.
The sports occur during their respective seasons,
in the same way as high school athletics have
specific sports seasons. Sports offered locally
by MASD include Swimming, Golf, Bocce Ball,
Soccer, Bowling, Floor Hockey, Basketball,
Cheerleading, Tennis and Track & Field.
The Special Olympics is designed specifically
for students and adults who have been diagnosed
as intellectually disabled. Many of our Special
Olympic athletes also have physical disabilities
and Special Olympics recognizes this fact,
providing sports and events designed specifically
for athletes who are both intellectually and
physically disabled.
Team Mesa adaptive sports is designed specifically
for students and adults who have been diagnosed
as intellectually disabled. Many of the Team
Mesa athletes also have physical disabilities
and our organization recognizes this fact,
providing sports and events designed specifically
for athletes who are both intellectually and
physically disabled.
A medical examination by a physician is required
for participation in any program. In addition,
athletes with Down Syndrome are required to
have a 3 view neck x-ray to determine the
possibility of a condition called atlanto-axial
subluxation.
For more information,contact Mark Grant
at mark.grant@mesaaz.gov
or us the Contact
Us Form.
Physically
Disabled Fact Sheet