Welcome to Special Olympics Otago
Special Olympics Otago offers year round training and competition for a variety of sports to people with an intellectual disability. We give people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to discover their potential. We also encourage our athletes to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and friendship.
Special Olympics New Zealand was founded in 1983. Today more than 5,500 athletes participate in 14 Olympic-type sports provided by 43 Clubs throughout the country. If you would like more information on these clubs check out- Special Olympics New Zealand
At Special Olympics Otago we provide sport training opportunities on a weekly basis to more than 120 athletes in basketball, indoor bowls, golf, tenpin bowling, swimming, powerlifting, snowsports (alpine skiing and snowboarding), indoor rowing and football.
If you would like to join a sport click the button below for more information.
“Let me win.But if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt”- Athlete Oath
How can we help?
Thank you to our funders!
We would not be able to provide the things we do for our athletes at a reduced cost if it wasnt for our funders. We would like to thank all the Organisations that have supported Special Olympics Otago this year
Latest News and Events
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Our Awards Night
On Friday November 21st 2025 we celebrated all of our athletes with our annual awards night held at the South Dunedin town hall.
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Law Enforcement Torch Run
29th November 12pm 2025
On Saturday we are delighted to host the law enforcement torch run to celebrate our athletes going to national summer games in December.
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National Summer Games
10th-15th Decemember 2025
On the 10th December our athletes will head up to Christchurch to compete in the National Summer Games. We have athletes competing in 7 different sports across the entirety of the summer games. We will then select 2 athletes to compete in the World Summer games next year.
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Achilles Dunedin
Achilles Dunedin is part of Achilles NZ and is a pan (all) disability sport organisation. We enable disabled people of all ages, cultures and genders to move forward, either running, walking or wheeling to achieve their own personal goals and finish line with the support of volunteer guides. We are all about improving disabled people's well-being/hauora. If you would like to know more click the button below!
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![Annual Group Meeting (AGM)]()
Annual Group Meeting (AGM)
On Monday 20th April we held our AGM at Cargill Enterprises. We shared news about whats been happening over the last year. We said goodbye to some of our board members as well as celebrating our first ever life membership award that went to Margaret Van Betuw.
We need you!
Special Olympics Otago are always looking for volunteers, coaches or board members.
