As a Special Olympics athlete or Unified partner, I agree to the following:
SPORTSMANSHIP AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS
- I will always practice good sportsmanship, including during, before and after practice and competition.
- I will act in ways that bring respect to me, my coaches, my team, and Special Olympics.
- I will not use inappropriate or offensive language, including swearing or insulting other individuals, in any form of communication.
- I will not fight with other athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, staff, family members or spectators.
- I will respect the rights and dignity of all athletes, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, staff, family members, and spectators in Special Olympics, and will not willfully engage in discriminatory behaviors.
- I will treat everyone equally regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, ability, or any other characteristic.
TRAINING AND COMPETITION
- I will train regularly.
- I will learn and follow the rules of my sport.
- I will listen to my coaches and the officials and ask questions when I do not understand.
- I will always try my best during training, divisioning and competitions.
- I will not “hold back” in preliminaries just to get into an easier final heat/division.
- I will follow Special Olympics’ concussion protocol.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY ACTIONS
- I will not engage in any form of verbal, physical, psychological, emotional, or sexual abuse, unwanted sexual advances, or harassing, bullying, or hazing behavior in person or via any form of communication, including emailing, texting, and social media.
- I know that I can tell my Special Olympics Program leadership immediately if I experience bullying or abusive behavior while participating in Special Olympics activities and/or if I become aware of such behavior occurring between other participants.
- Under North Carolina law, I am obligated to report abuse or suspected abuse. I will consult with my Special Olympics Program leadership for guidance, as needed. I understand all telephone and electronic communications between myself, and any Special Olympics participant must be appropriate and respectful.
- I will not send or share inappropriate images via email, text, or social media.
- I understand that any social media connections I make with other Special Olympics participants on my personal social media accounts are my choice and I am completely responsible for all such communications and who I choose to friend/follow on social media.
- I will not drink or possess alcohol, smoke (tobacco products, e-cigarette devices), or possess or consume recreational cannabis or cannabis-based products or take illegal drugs while representing Special Olympics or participating in Special Olympics activities.
- I will not take drugs for the purpose of improving my performance.
- I will respect and not misuse any equipment or property belonging to Special Olympics or that is provided to Special Olympics for its use.
- I will obey all laws where I am participating.
- I will abide by all Special Olympics General Rules, Special Olympics North Carolina Operating Policies and Official Special Olympics Sports Rule.
- I understand that if I violate this Code of Conduct, I will be subject to a range of consequences up to and including being prohibited from participating in Special Olympics.