Aisin eT ee ae celta TMT Tela f. = ral 9.3.1 Age Groups may be combined under the following circumstances provided the health and safety of all participants are considered. 9.3.1.1 In individual sports, if there are less than three competitors within an age group, the athletes shall compete in the next oldest age group. That age group shall then be renamed to accurately reflect the entire range of competitors within that age group. Age groups may also be combined to reduce the range between the highest and lowest scores within a division. 9.3.1.2 Inteam sports: within each ability group, a team may compete against a team of a different age group. If there is only one team within an age or ability group, that team may compete against teams of other age and/or ability groups. 10, SPECIAL OLYMPICS DIVISIONING 10.1 Ensuring fair divisioning of athletes for competition is one of the primary duties of competition management, which may include a Technical Delegate.The Following criteria shall will be used to assign Special Olympics athletes to competition divisions at Special Olympics competitions. 10.2 Divisioning Guidelines 10.2.1. Special Olympics suggests a guideline of no more than 15% variance between the highest and lowest scores within any division. This 15% guideline is not a rule. 10.2.2. Ability and Determining Criteria for Divisioning 10.2.2.1 An athlete's ability is the primary Factor in divisioning for Special Olympics competition. The ability level of an athlete or team is determined by an entry score from a prior competition or is the result of a seeding round or preliminary event at the competition itself. The team Head Coach is responsible For ensuring that the athlete score used for divisioning most accurately reflects the true ability of the athlete.There should be a process to allow Coachesto amend qualifying or preliminary scores that will be used in the divisioning process. . Age and gender are also considered when making divisions. 10.2.2.1.1 Note: “Preliminary” in these rules refers to on-site divisioning events used to determine final divisions. 10.2.2.2 Within each division the minimum number of competitors or teams is three and the maximum number is eight. In some cases, however, the number of athletes ‘or teams within a competition will be insufficient to achieve this goal. The following procedures describe the sequential process For creating equitable divisions. It also provides guidance for managing athlete participation when Factors preclude ideal divisioning, 10.3 Divisioning individual Sports: Timed and measured events 10.3.1. Step One: Divide Athletes By Gender. 103.1.1 Divide athletes into a female group and a male group. 103.1.2 Athletes shall normally compete against other athletes of the same gender, unless the IF/NGB rules specifically allow mixed-gender events (e.g., equestrian, pairs Figure skating, bowling, table tennis, ice dancing, tennis, etc). 10.3.2. Step Two: Divide Athletes by Age. 103.2.1 Divide male and female athletes into the Following age groups: ages 8-11; 12-15; 16:21; 22-29; and ages 30 years and over. An age group may be added if there are a sufficient number of competitors in the 30 years and over age group. 2 VERSION: November 2020 (© Special Oympcs, Inc, 2021 Allrgnis reservedReet ee Cette a Jello TMT isla ay 10.3.2.2 An athlete's age group is determined by the athlete's age on the date of the ‘opening of the competition. 10.3.3 Step Three: Divide Athletes By Ability. 103.31 To complete the divisioning process, the Following guidelines shall be applied according to the event being divisioned. 10,3.3.1.1. In events that are measured in time, distance, or points: 1033.1.1.1. 103.3.1.1.2. For both genders and all age groups, rank athletes in descending order based upon submitted entry scores or divisioning events. Group these ranked athletes so that the highest and lowest scores are as close as possible to the 15% guideline and the number of competitors is not less than three or more than eight. 10,3.3.1.2 In events that are judged and when divisioning events will be conducted during the competition: 103.3.1.24 103.3.1.2.2. For both genders and all age groups within a performance level, rank athletes in descending order based upon divisioning scores. Group these ranked athletes so that the highest and lowest scores are as close as possible to the 15% guideline and the number of competitors is not less than three or more than eight. 10,3.3.1.3 In events that are judged and where divisioning events will not be conducted during the competition: 1033.14.34 103.3.1.3.2. 1033.13. 10.4 _Divisioning Team Sports 10.4.1. Step One: Divide Teams By Gender. Divide teams into two groups based upon gender. Female teams shall compete 10.4.1.1 ‘The nature of judging precludes the use of scores From prior competitions(s) in divisioning. without scores from preliminary competition, performance level remains as the only criterion of athlete ability. For both genders and all age groups, identify athletes within each performance level. If more than eight athletes are in the same gender and age group of a performance level, group athletes into divisions of no less than three and no more than eight competitors. against other female teams, and male teams shall compete against other male teams. Mixed gender teams shall be divisioned with male teams unless there are sufficient mixed gender teams of similar ability to make a separate division. 10.4.2. Step Two: Divide Teams By Age. 10.4.2.1 Divide male and female teams into the Following age groups: ages 15 and under; 16-21; and 22 and over. An additional group may be established if there are a sufficient number of teams in the "22 and over” age group. 10.4.2.2. Teams should compete against other teams within the same age group. 8 VERSION: November 2020 (© Special Oympcs, Inc, 2021 Allrgnis reservedAisin eT ee ae celta TMT Tela f. = ral 10.4.2.3. The age group of a team is determined by the age of the oldest athlete on that team on the date of the opening of the competition. 10.4.3. Step Three: Divide Teams By Ability 10.4.3.1 All Special Olympics team sport competitions shall utilize sport specific skills assessment tools and a divisioning round to assess the level of ability of the participating teams. 10.4.3.2 Refer to the Special Olympics Sports Rules for each team sport for a description of the skills assessment tool 10.4.3.3. Group teams according to ability based upon the skills assessment tool and results From the divisioning round. 10.4.3.4. Create divisions of no less than three and no more than eight teams. 10.5 Resolving Divisioning Issues 10.5.1. When the above process has been completed and there may are instances where there will stil be less than three competitors in each division, the Following method should be used 1.5.1.1 Modify Age Groups: Age groups may be broadened to achieve an equitable division of no less than three athletes or teams. The age group should then be re-named to accurately reflect the age range of the competitors. IF there are still divisions of less than three competitors or teams: 1.5.1.2. Modify Ability Range: The ability range may be broadened beyond the 15% guideline provided that it will not pose a risk to the health and safety oF athletes to do so. 10.5.1.3 IF there are still divisions of less than three competitors or teams: 105.1.3.1 Combine athletes/teams of different genders provided that it will not pose a risk to the health and safety of athletes to do so. 10.5.1.3.2 Where exceptions to these criteria are necessary, competition management will review proposed modifications to these criteria and make a final decision based on the goal of providing the most dignified, safe and challenging competition experience for each athlete. Competition management has final authority concerning divisions and any variation from these criteria, Protests based on divisioning are not allowed 10.6 Proxy Events 10.6.1 Proxy events are used in some cases to division for multiple events at a competition. Proxy events may use one preliminary event or one designated final event. For example, in the case of alpine skiing, a Giant Slalom proxy event may be used to division For the finals For the Slalom, Giant Slalom, and Super Giant Slalom races. 10.6.2 Ifa proxy event is used For divisioning, an athlete's performance in any of the final races may be used to division For subsequent Finals at that competition. For example, a Giant Slalom proxy event is used to division For three events (Giant Slalom, Slalom and Super Giant Slalom). After the first event has been run (Giant Slalom), it may be clear based on performance that an athlete should be moved to a higher or lower division. in that case, competition management may re-division the athlete for the finals of the Slalom and Super Giant Slalom. 10.7 Disqualified Athletes “ VERSION: November 2020 (© Special Oympcs, Inc, 2021 Allrgnis reserved