Special Olympics Roller Skating is a collection of skating events where all competitors have mental or physical disabilities. Events offered are placed in categories of artistic events, speed events or roller hockey. Competitors may also choose to wear inline or quad skates.

Special Olympics roller skating is an umbrella field containing various roller skating events for athletes with physical or mental disabilities. Included in this field are artistic skating events, speed skating events, and roller hockey. In addition to the choice of sport, athletes may choose to use in-line or quad skates, depending on their strengths. As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender.

The goal of Special Olympics roller skating is to compete in one of three different events requiring the use of either in-line or quad roller skates. Artistic events require performing a routine that is scored by a panel of judge, therefore the goal is to score higher than other competitors. In speed events, the goal is to finish a race in the shortest amount of time. In roller hockey, the goal is to score more goals by the end of regulation time than the opposing team.

For artistic competition, men and women compete separately. The competition is further divided into four levels, each level progressively more difficult and requiring different elements. Speed events offer a variety of distances for all skill levels, as well as relay and slalom events.

Roller skating entered the Special Olympics World Summer Games in 1987. In 2005, 91 Special Olympics athletes competed in the World Summer Games held in Dublin, Ireland, although the actual competition was held in Belfast, Ireland. That same year 29, 839 Special Olympics athletes reported participating in the sport.

Roller Skates

For Roller Hockey Event:
Gloves
Helmet
Hockey Stick
Protective Padding
Puck

Special Olympics offers individual skills competition to allow athletes to train and compete in basic roller skating skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advancing to track and team events.

http://www.specialolympics.org/Special+Olympics+Public+Website/English/Coach/Sports_Offered/Rollerskating.htm