Special Olympics Unified Sports Handbook

Section B
The Special Olympics Unified Sports Team
2.10 Sportsmanship
In perc eption and pra c t i c e, s p o rtsmanship is defined
as those qualities that are ch a ra c t e ri zed by ge n e ro s i t y
and ge nuine concern for others. The ideals of
s p o rtsmanship should always be exe m p l i fied in
Special Olympics Unified Sports competition.
I n d iv i d u a l s ,rega rdless of their role in activ i t i e s , a re
expected to be awa re of their influence on the behav i o r
of others and model good sport s m a n s h i p .
E x p e c t ations of Coach e s
• A lways set a good example for participants and fa n s
to fo l l ow.
• Instruct participants in proper sportsmanship
responsibilities and demand that they make
sportsmanship and ethics the top priorities.
• Respect judgment of contest officials, abide by rules
of the event and display no behavior that could
incite fans.
• Tre at opposing coach e s , d i re c t o rs ,p a rticipants and
fans with re s p e c t .
• Shake hands with officials and the opposing coach
in public.
• Develop and enfo rce penalties for participants wh o
do not abide by sportsmanship standard s .
E x p e c t ations of Athletes and Pa rt n e rs
• Tre at teammates with respect.
• Encourage teammates when they make a mistake.
• Tre at opponents with re s p e c t : s h a ke hands prior to
and after contests.
• Respect judgment of contest offi c i a l s , abide by ru l e s
of the contest and display no behavior that could
incite fans.
• Cooperate with offi c i a l s , c o a ches or dire c t o rs and
fe l l ow participants to conduct a fair contest.
• Do not re t a l i ate (ve r b a l ly or phy s i c a l ly) if the other
team demonstrates poor behav i o r.
• A c c ept seri o u s ly the responsibility and priv i l ege of
rep resenting Special Olympics.
• Define winning as doing your personal best.
• Live up to the high standard of sportsmanship
e s t ablished by your coach .
20 Special Olympics Unified Sports Handbook
a
“I’m playing on the Unified
Sports team. You should go
out for a team if you love
to play.”
- M att Boone, U n i fied Sports A t h l e t e