Special Olympians go for gold in Lake Zurich
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 Northeastern/Area 13.
The annual Spring Games take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at Lake Zurich High School. The public is invited to watch the competition and experience the joy of achievement by Special Olympics athletes. Northeastern/Area 13 is composed of more than 1,400 athletes who compete from Lake and McHenry counties.
At the Northeastern/Area 13 Spring Games, approximately 480 athletes are expected to compete in track & field, the most popular of 19 sports offered by Special Olympics Illinois.
The event begins at 8 a.m. with an Opening Ceremony. Competition follows immediately and will conclude around 5 p.m. 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 caldron signifies the opening of the games.
Special Olympics Illinois athlete and Global Messenger Kyle Tuckey of SRACLC will be singing the national anthem, and Brent Kampert with NISRA will speak during the Opening Ceremony.
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.
Sponsors for the Special Olympics Illinois Northeastern/Area 13 Spring Games are: Lake Zurich High School, Rotary Club of Lake Zurich, Lions Club of Lake Zurich, St. Francis De Sales, Lake Zurich Police and Fire Department, Coca-Cola and Knights of Columbus.
To compete in the Special Olympics Illinois Northeastern/Area 13, 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 June 10-12 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 Brenden Cannon said the Spring Games could not go on without generous volunteer support.
"We rely on volunteers to help run every aspect of Spring Games. But even more importantly, the athletes look forward to the friendship and encouragement they receive from the volunteers," Cannon said.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run, Illinois Knights of Columbus and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois are official partners of Special Olympics Illinois.