The Summer Games are Special Olympics Iowa’s largest event of the year, with more than 2,600 athletes 1,200 coaches and 2,000 volunteers converging on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames. The three-day event begins with the Torch Run Final Leg bringing the Flame of Hope from downtown Des Moines to Hilton Coliseum for the Opening Ceremony presented by Hy-Vee.
Also featured at the games is an Olympic Festival, which is an area for athletes to relax between competitions and interact with sponsors and partners through games and activities. Healthy Athletes screenings will also be provided to athletes by healthcare professionals for eyesight, dental, hearing, overall health and fitness and more.
Event Details
Dates: May 25-27, 2023
Location: Ames
All entries Due: April 28, 2023
Event Links
Hotel Booking Links
Summer Games Registration Forms
Track & Field Schedule
Summer Games Tentative Schedule
Helpful Documents
Tennis Rating Sheet
Team Soccer Skills Assessment
Cheerleading Clinic Registration Form
Cycling Bike Inspection Form
Little Feet Meet
Young Athletes is a program that introduces children ages 2 to 7 to basic sports skills. It helps increase children’s strength and coordination while learning group play and cooperation. The Little Feet Meet is an inclusive opportunity for Young Athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to participate in track and field events at our state Summer Games competition.
Click here to register your young athlete!
Summer Games Competitions
An athlete may compete in one sport per day (click on the sport name for official rules):
- Bocce
- Singles
- Skills
- Team (four-person)
- Cycling – Athletes may choose two events. Athletes in modified events may not enter other trials.
- Developmental Events
- Soccer
- Team (seven-person)
- Soccer Skills
- Dribbling
- Shooting
- Run and Kick
Swimming
- 25 yard Freestyle
- 50 yard Freestyle
- 100 yard Freestyle
- 200 yard Freestyle
- 25 yard Backstroke
- 50 yard Backstroke
- 100 yard Backstroke
- 25 yard Breaststroke
- 50 yard Breaststroke
- 25 yard Butterfly
- 50 yard Butterfly
- 100 yard Individual Medley
- 100 yard Freestyle Relay
- 15 yard Floatation Race
- 25 yard Floatation Race
- PLEASE NOTE: Area Swimming Competitions Requirement
Tennis – An athlete may enter two tennis events:
- Singles
- Doubles
- Mixed Doubles
- Unified Doubles
- Individual Tennis Skills
- Track & Field
- See List of Events (pdf)
