Special Olympics – Cleveland TN

Cleveland Civitan Club is proud to sponsor and present the 2024 Cleveland/Bradley Special Olympics. Updates coming soon for the 2024 Special Olympics.

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Don’t forget to buy tickets for our annual Aubrey’s Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser as we raise money for the 2024 Special Olympics! Stay tuned for announcements regarding dates and tickets for our annual fundraiser.

What is Special Olympics?

Special Olympics is not just a local sports event, but an international movement that aims to promote social inclusion and acceptance of people with diverse intellectual and physical abilities. Our mission is to use Special Olympics to provide opportunities for athletes to showcase their abilities, form supportive relationships with their peers and advance their physical and emotional well-being through sports and engaging competition. From softball to jumps and races, the Cleveland/Bradley Special Olympics offers a variety of events that cater to the unique talents and interests of its athletes. No matter if students come to compete or have fun, their joy and sense of achievement are immeasurable.

Special Olympics originated in 1968 in Chicago, and quickly became a global movement that is still thriving nearly 55 years later. Read more about how the Special Olympics started.

Cleveland Civitan Club has proudly sponsored the Cleveland/Bradley Special Olympics for more than 43 years. As we become more inclusive of varying abilities, we hope to grow and implement new Special Olympic events in the future that will serve more populations.

Who can participate in Special Olympics?

The Cleveland/Bradley Special Olympics is open to children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities, including those with Down syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy. Athletes can begin participating in our Special Olympics as young as eight years old, and there is no age limit.

Special Olympic Sports & Events

The Cleveland/Bradley Special Olympics includes the following sports and events:

• Softball
• Standing Jump
• Races

If you have an idea for a new sports event, we’d love to hear your feedback! Fill out our contact form, so we can consider your ideas.

How do I register for Special Olympics?

If your athlete is in a Special Education class at a Bradley County or Cleveland City school, check with your teacher about registration, as many classes sign up as a team. For more information or additional questions, please complete the contact form, and a Civitan member will get back you.

Can I volunteer during Special Olympics?

Yes! Cleveland Civitan gladly welcomes peers, high school and college students and other community members to volunteer during Special Olympics. If you need service hours for school or work, we offer service completion forms that you may pick up at the end of your shift. There are limited volunteer spots to prevent overcrowding, so sign up soon!

If you can’t attend the day of Special Olympics but are still interested in getting involved, we have a volunteer opportunity the day before to set up for the big event.

If you’d like to participate in planning and coordinating Special Olympics, Cleveland Civitan Club would love to have you as a Project Member, so you can get involved with us behind the scenes. Learn more about becoming a Special Olympics Project Member.

Special Olympics Sponsors

The Cleveland/Bradley Special Olympics wouldn’t be possible without our partnering sponsors. If you’d like to be a sponsor, please contact us today.