Athletes Triumph at Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games

[June 16, 2016]  NORMAL  –  About 4,000 athletes from across the state competed in the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games on June 10-12 at Illinois State University and Normal Community West High School, both in Normal. Athletes competed in one of six sports: aquatics, athletics (track & field), bocce, gymnastics, powerlifting and soccer. (Download results at https://www.soill.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2016SummerGamesResults.pdf)

To compete in the State Summer Games, athletes must have completed eight weeks of training and qualified through Area or District competition. Athletes are divisioned based on age and skill level so that each athlete can have the opportunity to experience success while competing on a comparable playing field.

Also at this year’s Summer Games, 6- and 7-year-olds in the Young Athletes Program were able to participate in the 50-meter run, tennis ball throw and soccer skills.

Those in attendance included approximately:

• 4,000 athletes & Unified Partners competing in six sports
• 3,000 family members
• 1,900 coaches
• 2,500 volunteers

Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games would not be possible without the time and support of the volunteers, donors and the following Summer Games sponsors:

2016 Gold Medal Sponsors:
Illinois Knights of Columbus
Law Enforcement Torch Run
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

2016 Bronze Medal Sponsors:
American Legion and Auxiliary
Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Casey’s General Stores
Jewel-Osco
Normal Firefighters IAFF Local #2442
State Farm Insurance Companies

2016 Venue Sponsors:
Alexander’s Steak House
Avanti’s Italian Restaurant
Hy-Vee
Shop ’n Save
Town of Normal
Uptown Normal
XFinity Comcast/INSP Network
 

[Special Olympics Illinois]

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for more than 22,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 20,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms 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 your local Special Olympics agency, call 800-394-0562 or visit our website at www.soill.org.