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Illinois Special Olympians set to compete in largest area event at North Central College

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Above / Special Olympics returns to North Central College’s Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium on Sun., May 1, 2016. (PN File Photo)

Families, volunteers and spectators will be cheering on men and women, boys and girls – all Special Olympics athletes – as they compete in the largest Area event of the year for Special Olympics Illinois Area 2/5. The annual Spring Games takes place from 8AM to 5PM on Sun., May 1, at North Central College.

The public is invited to watch the competition and experience the joy of achievement by Special Olympics athletes.  Area 2/5 is composed of over 2,300 athletes who compete from DuPage, Kendall, Kane and Western Cook County.

At the Area 2/5 Spring Games, approximately 800 athletes are expected to compete in athletics (track & field), the most popular of 19 sports offered by Special Olympics Illinois.

torch-run-ncc

Above / All ages will enjoy watching the opening ceremony and competition from the stands, experiencing the joy of achievement by Special Olympics athletes. 

The event begins at 8AM with an Opening Ceremony.  Competition follows immediately and will conclude around 5PM.

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.”  The running of the torch with the “Flame of Hope” and the lighting of the cauldron signifies the opening of the games.

Athletes will compete in the 50-, 100-, 200-, 400-, 800-, 1,500 and 3,000-meter runs; standing and running long jumps; shot put; tennis and softball throw; mini javelin;100-, 400- and 800-meter walk races; wheelchair competitions and assisted races.  Athletes compete in divisions by gender and ability levels. The athletes competing in the turbo javelin competition have received special training at clinics that were held by local high school track coaches.

Sponsors for the Special Olympics Illinois Area 2/5 Spring Games are:  Knights of Columbus, Sternberg Lighting and North Central College.

Powerlifting in Res Rec Building

ncc-res-rec-walkAn additional 80 athletes will compete in powerlifting inside at the Res Rec Building. Weigh in will begin at 8AM and athletes will compete in three events – squat, deadlift and bench press.

To compete in the Special Olympics Illinois Area 2/5, athletes must train for eight weeks. Athletes who win a gold medal at these Area games qualify to compete in the Special Olympics Illinois State Summer Games to be held June 1012 on the campuses of Illinois State University in Normal and Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. More than 3,700 athletes from around the state are expected to compete in Summer Games.

Special Olympics Area Director Amy Kaylor said the Spring Games could not go on without generous volunteer support.

“We rely on volunteers to help run every aspect of Spring Games,” Kaylor stated in a news release. “But even more importantly, the athletes look forward to the friendship and encouragement they receive from the volunteers.”

The Law Enforcement Torch Run, Illinois Knights of Columbus and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois are Official Partners of Special Olympics Illinois.

Do you know about Special Olympics Illinois?

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for nearly 22,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and nearly 21,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics promotes acceptance for all and 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, visit the website at www.soill.org.

News story submitted by Amy Kaylor, Far West Suburban/Area 2 Director, for Special Olympics Illinois; PN File Photos.

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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