New Athlete Registration Process
new Athlete Registration Form
It’s easier than ever to become an athlete!
We are excited to announce that Special Olympics has made significant changes to its athlete registration process, transitioning from the current Athlete Medical Form to a more streamlined system comprised of a new Athlete Registration Form and a new Athlete Registration Renewal Form.
These changes will become effective on January 6, 2025.
For currently registered athletes, you will use the new Athlete Registration Form when your current registration (existing Medical Form) expires, there is no further action required until that time. Athletes who are new to Special Olympics must complete the new Athlete Registration Form prior to participation in any sports training, competitions or programs.
Details on the New Registration Process
Moving forward, the new Athlete Registration Form must only be completed once prior to an athlete’s participation in a Special Olympics Southern California program. The Form is used to collect essential personal and health-related information for all athletes without requiring an immediate physical examination. After the Athlete Registration Form is completed, athletes must complete a much briefer Athlete Registration Renewal Form each year.
This change makes the registration process easier for athletes and families by removing the barrier of getting a physical exam prior to participation. The Athlete Registration Form is simplified yet still ensures that essential health information is collected, and the Athlete Registration Renewal Form provides annual updates. While medical exams are no longer required to participate in Special Olympics Southern California programs, we do encourage all athletes to have yearly physical examinations by a licensed provider to detect or prevent new health issues and manage existing ones. SOSC will continue to offer free Health Screenings at events through Medfest and our Healthy Athletes programs.
Medical Forms are also no longer required for participation in Special Olympics Southern California programs under this new system. However, for athletes who participate in Special Olympics USA Games, Regional Games and World Games, a Medical Form must be completed up to one year prior to the event. To complete the Medical Form, athletes and Unified Partners are required to undergo a physical examination that must be completed by a licensed medical practitioner.
All updated forms can be found at
sosc.org/becomeanathlete
QUESTIONS
The new Athlete Registration Form is simplified. It includes only essential health questions and gathers personal demographics, information about assistive devices used and medications. We believe it is the minimal essential information that all coaches should know about their athletes. The 5-page Athlete Registration Form only needs to be completed once. The shorter, simpler, 1-page Athlete Registration Renewal Form then allows athletes to provide any health updates annually.
The forms are only offered and accepted via AdobeSign. If you need help completing your form or have any other questions, please contact register@sosc.org.
All additional forms required for participation in Special Olympics Southern California programs have been included with the one-time Athlete Registration Form as one singular document to be submitted. This includes the Athlete Code of Conduct, General Liability, and Consent Forms. The Athlete Code of Conduct has also been included with the Athlete Registration Renewal form, which is to be completed annually.
No, if you are a current athlete who has a current Registration/Medical Form on file, you do not need to complete this form. We will notify you when your current registration is about to expire, and at that time you will need to fill out the new Athlete Registration Form.
While a Medical Form is no longer needed to participate in Special Olympics Southern California, which is a local Special Olympics Program, Medical Forms will be required for participation in Special Olympics USA, Regional and World Games, which are not local programs. These Medical Forms do require a physical examination by a licensed provider.
Yes, free physical exams will still be offered at MedFests and at Championship Games.
Contact Us
Please email register@sosc.org with any additional questions.