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Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs)  
Allow athletes to explore opportunities for participation in roles previously considered “non-traditional.” Through ALPs, athletes serve on Boards of Directors or local organizing committees.Athletes excel as spokespersons, team captains, coaches and officials.As an integral component of Special Olympics dedication to empowerment and dignity, ALPs initiatives provide new opportunities for athletes and benefit the movement as a whole
 
Healthy Athletes  

The mission of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes®, developed in 1996, is to improve athletes' ability to train and compete in Special Olympics. Healthy Athletes is designed to help Special Olympics athletes improve their health and fitness, leading to enhanced sports experience and improved well-being.

In addition, Special Olympics has developed MedFest, a program that facilitates the required standard sports physical examination for current and prospective Special Olympics athletes. During a Healthy Athletes event, Special Olympics athletes receive a variety of health screenings and services in a series of clinics conducted in a welcoming, fun environment. Health care professionals and students are trained to provide the screenings in an effort to educate the professional community about the health needs and abilities of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.