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Roller skating
Roller skating is a Special Olympics sport
with many different facets. Athletes are given the option to
compete in artistic events, speed events, or hockey
competition. 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 the athletes' ability level,
age and gender.
For the 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 eventsoffer a variety
of distances for all skill levels, as well as relay and slalom events.
WORLD GAMES HISTORY
Roller skating was inaugurated at the 1987 World
Games. That year the 22
participants were all United States athletes.
In 1995, just eight years later, the
roller-skating competition boasted 134 athletes
from 11 countries.
As a special event at the 1995 World Games,
members of the Hartford Whalers, a
National Hockey League Team, played in a roller
hockey demonstration game with
celebrities and Special Olympics
athletes. The 1999 Special Olympics World Summer
Games, held in Raleigh, North Carolina, consisted
of 107 athletes from 13 countries
for the sport of roller skating.
HIGHLIGHTS
Roller Skating Associations (RSAs) in the United States
have been instrumental in the development and inclusion of Special
Olympics athletes and coaches. These associations
include: Roller Skating Rink Operators, Society of Roller Skating Teachers
of America, Speed Coaches Association, Roller Hockey
Coaches Association, and Roller Skating Supplies and Manufacturers. |
EVENTS OFFERED
Artistic Competition
1. Level II School Figures
2. Level III School Figures
3. Level IV School Figures
4. Level II Free Style Singles
5. Level III Free Style Singles
6. Level IV Free Style Singles
7. Level II Dance, Solo and Team
8. Level III Dance, Solo and Team
9. Level IV Dance, Solo and Team
10. Level II Dance Unified Sports Team
11. Level III Dance Unified Sports Team
12. Level IV Dance Unified Sports Team
13. Level I Free Style Pairs
14. Level II Free Style Pairs
15. Level I Free Style Unified Sports Pairs
16. Level II Free Style Unified Sports Pairs
The following events provide meaningful competition
for athletes with lower ability
levels.
17. Level I School Figures
18. Level I Free Style Singles
19. Level I Dance, Solo and Team
Speed Competition
20. 100 Meter Race the Track
21. 300 Meter Race the Track
22. 500 Meter Race the Track
23. 1000 Meter Race the Track
24. 2 x 100 Relay Race
25. 2x100 Meter Unified Sports Relay
26. 2 x 200 Relay Race
27. 2x200 Meter Unified Sports Relay
28. 4 x 100 Relay Race
29. 4x100 Meter Unified Sports Relay
The following events provide meaningful competition
for athletes with lower ability
levels.
30. 30 Meter Straight Line Race
31. 30 Meter Slalom |