A Key feature of Special Olympics is a series of sports competitions patterned on the World Olympics and held annually at each organizational level, culmination in World Summer and Winter Games, which alternate every two years.  In addition to the athletic competition, all Games include the pageantry and excitement of the Olympics Games, with events, such as; Opening & Closing Ceremonies, the lighting of the Special Olympics Flame of Hope, Awards Ceremonies, and a variety of culture activities.

Over 90 area games, 95 coaches training schools, and seven (7) state level competitions are held annually in a variety of sports that take place in the State of Mississippi.  The State Games Sites include: Biloxi/Ocean Springs/Keesler AFB for State Summer Games, Hattiesburg/Camp Shelby for State Fall Games, Gulfport for State Equestrian & Winter Sports Games, Jackson/Clinton for State Bowling, Jackson for State Basketball, and Meridian/Naval Air Station for State Canoeing & Table Tennis.

Any individual eight (8) years or older who is diagnosed as having mental retardation is eligible to participate in a Special Olympics Program.  The diagnosis must be one of significantly sub-average general intellectual functioning and marked impairment in adaptive behavior.

Special Olympics is funded on the belief that quality training is crucial to success in sports.  Therefore, training programs to improve athletes overall fitness and sport specific competence have been developed, tested, and outlined in a Sports Skills Guide for each Special Olympics sport.
In addition, local, area, and state Special Olympics Programs offer training schools for coaches and officials, to instruct them in the most effective techniques with which to work with athletes that have mental retardation.