Special Olympics Ohio’s State Summer Games – the largest Special Olympics event held in Ohio – are set for Friday through Sunday, June 23-25, at The Ohio State University in Columbus.
To signal local participation in the event, the annual Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch run will depart Mansfield for Columbus and the state Summer Games this Friday, June 23. The torch will be at the Kroger store on Lexington Ave. around 8:00 AM for a short send-off ceremony. The public is invited to attend.
Many area athletes will be competing in the state Summer Games. More than 2,600 athletes from 70 of Ohio’s 88 counties and 105 different local Special Olympics organizations are preparing for the 2017 competition and for the opportunity to earn coveted medals.
The Games bring together athletes for competition in: Athletics (track and field), Bocce, Bowling, Cycling, Gymnastics, Powerlifting, Roller Skating, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, and Volleyball. Most competition venues are on the campus of The Ohio State University with the exception of Bowling (held at Sawmill Lanes, 4825 Sawmill Road, Columbus, OH 43235) and Roller Skating (held at United Skates of America, 3362 Refugee Road, Columbus, OH 43232).
The Games officially kick off on Friday at 6:30 PM with the inspiring Opening Ceremonies at The Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Opening Ceremonies include nearly all of the participating athletes in a Parade of Athletes and the dramatic entrance into the stadium of the torch bearing the Flame of Hope after the Final Leg of the 2 Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run. Law Enforcement representatives will hand off the torch to Special Olympics Ohio athletes who, in turn, will use it to ignite the cauldron, officially signifying the opening of the 2017 State Summer Games.
The mission of Special Olympics Ohio is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for more than 23,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
For more information please contact Special Olympics Ohio at 614-239-7050 or go to SOOH.org. You can also follow SOOH on our social media platforms:
Facebook SpecialOlympicsOhio
Twitter @SOOhio
YouTube SpecialOlympicsOH
Instagram @SpecialOlympicsOH
Snapchat SO_Ohio
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