Volleyball Heimo Kaartinen, Special Olympics Finland, in action against Victor Kiryushkin and Stephan Sobolev of Special Olympics Russia at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games. [Photo by John T. Ohle, IRELAND OUT] Athletes participating in Special Olympics Volleyball benefit from the camaraderie that comes from competing in a team sport, as well as the training that enables them to successfully serve and return a volleyball. Special Olympics Volleyball also offers individual skills competition to allow athletes to train and compete in basic volleyball skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advancing to team competition. These skills include volleying, serving and passing. Special Olympics athletes can also participate in Unified Sports® Volleyball Team Competition. Special Olympics Unified Sports is a program that combines Special Olympics athletes and athletes without intellectual disabilities (partners) on sports teams for training and competition. As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender. Volleyball Facts Volleyball was introduced to Special Olympics in 1983. 259 athletes from 20 teams competed in volleyball at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland. As of the 2005 Special Olympics Athlete Participation Report, 71,982 Special Olympics athletes compete in volleyball. Volleyball Events Team Competition The following volleyball events provide meaningful competition for athletes with lower ability levels: Modified Team Competition Individual Skills Competition Volleyball Juggle Volleyball Pass Volleyball Toss and Hit Related Links Fédération Internationale de Volleyball