If you already completed the exam form and athlete application in 2023 or 2024, Click Here to register for the upcoming sport season.
Please ensure you have registered for all of your sports, HERE. All athletes, and Unified partners will need to register for each sport they are participating in, each season.
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Frequently Asked Questions - New SOCO Athlete Application
- A doctor’s exam is no longer required as part of the Athlete Application.
- Athletes must renew their application annually (instead of every 3 years) with a short renewal application.
This change aligns with Special Olympics International’s effort to make participation easier while still gathering the essential health information coaches need for safe training and competition.
- New athletes joining a Special Olympics Colorado team
- A parent/guardian must complete the Athlete Application for minors and for adults with legal guardians.
- School-based athletes participating in a SOCO-hosted competition
- Current athletes whose existing application (valid for three years) is expiring
No. Your current application remains valid for 3 years from the date of your last physical exam. We’ll remind you before it expires, and when it does, you’ll complete the new online application.
Approximately 10 minutes.
- Athlete, Parent/Guardian (if applicable) and Emergency Contact Information
- Health History
- Waivers and Releases
Athlete Code of Conduct
Note: Parent/guardian signatures are required for minors and for adults with legal guardians.
Annually.
A brief yearly check-in: confirm contact info and indicate whether there have been changes to health history. You will also resign the waivers/releases annually.
- Adult athletes without a guardian must sign their own waivers.
- Parent/guardian signatures are required for minors and adults with legal guardians.
SOCO sends reminders 120 days and 60 days before expiration, at season-registration confirmation, and during team announcements.
If an athlete reports a prior health condition on their application, SOCO will notify the coach and share an optional action plan guide that the coach may use to collaborate with the athlete and their family or care provider to create a plan if desired.
- A Physical Examination Form with medical provider clearance is required if:
- The athlete has had a concussion within the past 30 days, or
- The athlete indicates they are currently restricted from sports participation by a doctor.
*This provider clearance must be renewed annually while these conditions apply.
- Certain competitions or opportunities (e.g., Special Olympics USA/World Games) may require separate medical forms. If applicable, SOCO will communicate those requirements well in advance.
Click here to view and download the Special Olympics Athlete Medical Form.
- We accept any sports physical, including CHSAA physicals, completed and signed by a licensed medical practitioner (e.g., physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) qualified to clear athletes for sports participation.
- We do not accept encounter or visit summaries, health appraisals, or any form that does not clearly state the athlete is cleared for sports participation.
Yes, while not required for the Athlete Application, we encourage annual wellness visits to support overall health and prevention.
Visit the Athlete Application Page
No, paper forms are not accepted. Athlete Applications must be completed online through the SOCO website. However we are happy to support via the Help Desk: specialolympicsco.org/getinvolved/becomeanathlete/helpdesk
Once your application is submitted and any required provider clearance is verified, you’re approved to train and compete in all 22 SOCO sports for one year.
No changes. Class A applications are still required every 3 years for coaches and Unified partners. A background check is needed for those 18 and older.
More info: specialolympicsco.org/getinvolved/becomeacoach/classa
No worries! Submit the new application as soon as possible as you will not be able to participate until your application is complete.
Make sure you are using the Chrome web browser. Safari is not supported or recommended. To install Chrome on your computer, please click here.
To save your application:
- Click “Save & Continue Later” at the bottom of the application.
- Provide your email address when requested, and click “Send Link”.
- Check your email for the link to return from info@specialolympicsco.org. Complete the application within 30 days of requesting the link.
You’ll get an email confirmation from info@specialolympicsco.org with a copy of your submitted form. Check your junk or spam folder if you don’t see it.
If you are having trouble or have any questions please visit our Help Desk on our Application Resources page by clicking here.