Contact Coach Bert Wachlin for more information.

FACT SHEET

Powerlifting is one of several sports which is currently being offered by Special Olympics programs around the world; however, it is not considered an Official Special Olympics sport.

Special Olympics powerlifting includes three basic lifts: the squat, bench press, and dead lift. Participating in powerlifting improves an athlete’s overall physical fitness while giving that same athlete the experience, of being on a team in Special Olympics.

As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are placed in divisions with athletes of similar ability. In powerlifting, athletes are first classified by weight, then further divisioned by ability. A preview of the powerlifting events follows.

• There are single event competitions in the bench press, squat, and deadlift.
• Athletes who are trained in more than one event have the option of competing in a combination event. This would combine lift totals from the bench press and deadlift for a total score or combined totals from the three lifts for a total score.
• For athletes of lower ability, Special Olympics offers individual skills competition such as modified push-ups or sit-ups.

The United States Powerlifting Federation (USPF), a generous supporter of Special Olympics, offers the opportunity to compete in powerlifting competition throughout the year. Special Olympics athletes have entered these events outside of Special Olympics competitions and have experienced a great deal of success.

Andy Leonard is a Special Olympics athlete from Pennsylvania whose favorite sport is powerlifting. He is ranked among the top five in the world for his weight class in the sport. In the three Special Olympics powerlifting events, Andy has a personal record of 901 total pounds - 413 pounds in the deadlift, 352 pounds in the squat , and 226 pounds in the bench press. By the way, Andy Leonard is five feet tall and weighs only 111 pounds.

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules govern all Special Olympics Powerlifting. Special Olympics is the first organization other than a National Olympic Committee to be officially recognized and endorsed by the International Olympic Committee.

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