One of the most recognizable mottos around, comes from an organization which we have been a partner with for decades. It is the Special Olympics motto…“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Created in 1968 right here in Illinois, Special Olympics is a global organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities. It was developed as a competitive, as opposed to a recreational program, so athletes ages 8+ can achieve their highest ability level in a competing sport.
As the local connection to Special Olympics, Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) serves as the feeder group organizing, training and supporting athletes in the Naperville area as well as in our other cooperative park districts. WDSRA provides the local coaching staff, practice space and time necessary to both learn the sport and compete. WDSRA provides a learning environment that enables and empowers athletes at all stages of their development.
WDSRA Special Olympics athletes compete at local and regional levels. To help athletes get comfortable with competing in the larger regional meets WDSRA also organizes several sport specific tournaments throughout the year. Our swim and track meets host literally hundreds of athletes each year and we regularly rotate other sport specific tournaments, such as volleyball and basketball, with other special recreation associations.
Many athletes have also competed in national and international competitions including ice skating, softball and swimming. One has even represented the U.S. as part of the Team USA soccer team at World Games. Two have even been sought out for comment on the bowling talents of a past president. ALL the athletes proudly represent both WDSRA and Special Olympics.
With four seasons of sports offered and hundreds of athletes participating, WDSRA continues to be one of the strongest, largest providers of Special Olympics programs in Illinois. That means that every athlete gets the instruction needed to empower them and so that Special Olympics can be a part of life for many years to come.
For more information about Special Olympics teams or the Young Athletes program, contact WDSRA at (630) 681-0962 or Justin at justinb@wdsra.com.
