Developmental Athletics Rules
❖ Each athlete may enter 3 events.
❖ Athletes entered in developmental events may not enter traditional
athletics events.
❖ Athletes must compete in athletic shoes. No street shoes or sandals will
be permitted on the track.
❖ Athletes must wear appropriate clothing. Athletes wearing jeans or
casual pants will not be permitted to compete.
Developmental Athletics:
• Running Events:
- 50 Meter Race – (AT050M)
- 10 Meter Assisted Walk – (AT10AW)
- 10 Meter Wheelchair Race – (AT10WH)
- 25 Meter Wheelchair Race – (AT25WH)
- 25 Meter Walk – (AT25WK)
- 30 Meter Wheelchair Slalom – (AT30WS)
- 50 Meter Walk – (AT50WK)
❖ 10 Meter / 25 Meter Wheelchair Race:
o Each competitor must keep in his/her lane from start to
finish and may not interfere, obstruct or impede the
progress of another competitor. Infractions, at the
discretion of judges, may result in disqualification.
❖ 30 Meter Wheelchair Slalom:
o Beginning at the start line, place 1 cone in each lane at 5
meter intervals. Cones should be placed in the middle of
the lanes.
o Athlete maneuvers his/her chair through the course,
going to the right of the first obstacle and across the
finish line without impeding another athlete on the
course.
o Knocking down a marker constitutes a violation, and a 3second penalty will be assessed.
❖ Assisted Walk:
o Athletes must provide their own assisted devices.
Devices include canes, crutches or walker.
o Athlete starts behind start line with walking aid.
o Athlete walks using a walking aid.
o Athlete stays in his/her designated lane.
o Athlete may not receive physical assistance from
coaches, officials, etc.
o Athlete is timed from the start to when his/her torso
reaches the perpendicular plane of the nearer edge of
the finished line.
• Field Events:
- Standing Long Jump – (ATSTLJ)
- Softball Throw – (ATSOBT)
▪ Athletes may not be capable of throwing over 15
meters.
- Tennis Ball Throw – (ATTBT)
▪ For lowest ability levels & athletes unable to grip a
softball.
▪ 15 Meter maximum.
❖ Standing Long Jump Rules:
o Competitors start with both feet behind designated
foul line.
o Athlete shall initiate all attempts from behind the
designated foul line.
o Use both feet on take-off. He/she may rock backward
& forward lifting his/her heels and toes alternately,
but he/she may not lift either foot completely off the
ground.
o All distances measured along a perpendicular line
from the foul line to the closest impression on the
landing area made by any part of the athlete’s body
or clothing.
❖ Softball & Tennis Ball Throw Rules:
o Softball Throw: softball 30 cm in circumference
o Tennis Ball Throw: Tennis ball
o Competitors may use any type of throw.
For more detailed rules, please visit:
http://media.specialolympics.org/resources/sports-essentials/sportrules/Athletics-Sports-Rules.pdf