Special Olympics athletes to compete in Area 10 Spring Games

[May 04, 2012]  DECATUR -- Families, volunteers and spectators will be cheering on runners, shot-putters and other athletes as they compete in the largest area event of the year for Special Olympics Illinois Area 10. The annual Spring Games will be on Saturday at Frank M. Lindsey Field at Millikin University in Decatur. The public is invited to watch the competition and experience the joy of achievement by Special Olympics athletes.

Area 10 is composed of four counties: Macon, Moultrie, Christian and Logan.

At the Area 10 Spring Games, approximately 250 athletes are expected to compete in track and field athletics, the most popular sport offered by Special Olympics Illinois. The event begins at 9 a.m. with opening ceremonies. The running of the torch with the "Flame of Hope" and the lighting of the cauldron signifies the opening of the games. All athletes will march in the parade of athletes and recite the Special Olympics oath: "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." Competition follows immediately and will conclude around 3 p.m.

Athletes will compete in the 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 runs; standing and running long jumps; shot put; tennis and softball throw; high jump; 400, 800 and 2K walk races; wheelchair competitions; and assisted races. Athletes compete in divisions by gender and ability levels.

Sponsors for the Special Olympics Illinois Area 10 Spring Games are Knights of Columbus 577, Millikin University, McDonald's, Decatur Park District, AMBUCS, and Papa Murphy's Take and Bake Pizza.

To compete in the Special Olympics Illinois Area Spring Games, athletes must train for eight weeks. Athletes who win a gold medal at the area games qualify to compete in the Special Olympics Illinois State Summer Games June 15-17 on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal. More than 3,500 athletes from around the state are expected to compete in the Summer Games. .

Joanie Keyes, Special Olympics area director, said the games could not go on without generous volunteer support.

"We rely on volunteers to help run every aspect of Spring Games," she said. "But even more importantly, the athletes look forward to the friendship and encouragement they receive from the volunteers."

The Law Enforcement Torch Run and Illinois Knights of Columbus are official partners of Special Olympics Illinois.

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Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for more than 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 11,000 young athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics promotes acceptance for all and changes lives by empowering people with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support.

If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact a local Special Olympics agency or the Special Olympics Illinois Area 10 office at 217-428-9255 or visit the website at www.soill.org.

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Track map

[Text from file received from Special Olympics Illinois]