 The games will mark a milestone as the largest event in the history
of the state of Nebraska and will be only the second USA National
Games, the first being in 2006.Included in the contingent for
central Illinois is Adam Cheatham. Cheatham, of Lincoln, will play
on the Team Illinois men's basketball team at the 2010 National
Games. He has competed in Special Olympics for 16 years and trains
through Lincoln Park District with local coach Ryan Curry. In
addition to basketball, his sports include athletics (track and
field), bowling and softball, and he has won several gold medals.
Cheatham says Special Olympics has allowed him to have fun with
his friends while playing organized sports. He is excited to attend
the 2010 National Games and play in a different environment with new
athletes and coaches. Outside of Special Olympics, Cheatham enjoys
the outdoors, camping, fishing and volunteering for Habitat for
Humanity. He is employed in food service at Abraham Lincoln Memorial
Hospital and is a member of the Sons of the American Legion color
guard in Emden.
Team Illinois will compete in aquatics, athletics, male and
female basketball, bocce, bowling, golf, powerlifting, male softball
and tennis.
They will be housed in a residence hall at the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln and will return on July 24.
Illinois sponsors include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois,
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (also a national sponsor),
Citation Special Olympics Airlift, GE, Illinois Movers' and
Warehousemen's Association, Image Air, and and Chevy Missions
("Illinois Chevy: Your Mission. Our Drive.") Chevy is loaning Team
Illinois vehicles for the trip.
The weeklong event will feature 13 Olympic-style competitions and
other noncompetitive special events such as the star-studded opening
and closing ceremonies; the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch
Run, which will symbolize the start of the competition; Special
Olympics Town, a designated area of family fun; and the Healthy
Athletes area for vital health screenings. Sgt. Amy Williams of the
Huntley Police Department will represent Illinois in the final leg
of the Torch Run.
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Additionally, this year's USA National Games will continue to
foster inclusion by showcasing Special Olympics Unified Sports,
where Special Olympics athletes and partners without intellectual
disabilities share the same field of play. Illinois will have one
Unified golf team and one Unified tennis team competing.
A National Youth Activation Summit will be held in conjunction
with the USA National Games as young leaders rally around making
change for the better through the Special Olympics movement,
promoting unity and acceptance of those with intellectual
disabilities. Students Jordan Schubert, who is a Special Olympics
athlete, and Andy Marsh, a partner without an intellectual
disability, along with teacher-coach Joy Nebergall from Neuqua
Valley High School in Naperville will participate.
The Special Olympics National Education Conference will also take
place for educators as they discuss ways to bring together students
with and without disabilities in meaningful ways. SueEllen
Stephenson, principal of Lincoln Elementary in Canton, and her
daughter, Adrianne Stephenson, a teacher at Blackwell Elementary in
Schaumburg, will attend. Both women have implemented the Special
Olympics Young Athletes program in their schools.
[Text from file received from
Special Olympics Illinois]
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