West suburban athletes go for gold in Special Olympics Spring Games

At the Special Olympics Spring Games, there'll be some die-hard athletes and there'll be some showboaters.

Above all, there'll be some competitors as more than 650 athletes from DuPage, Kane, Kendall and western Cook counties participate in the 2012 Areas 2 and 5 Special Olympics Spring Games Sunday, April 29, at North Central College's Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, 455 Brainard St., Naperville.

“It depends on the athlete. Some you can tell they're there to run their race and compete in their event,” said Ben Berg, athletics coordinator for the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association.

“And then there's some other athletes who are the performers, and they see the crowd and they'll work the crowd. It's a good mix. That's what makes the event fun — it's pure competition.”

Sunday's event is one of 12 competitions throughout Illinois that funnels into the state tournament that takes place June 15-17 at Illinois State University in Normal.

Opening ceremonies begin at 9 a.m. with special appearances from members of law enforcement, Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel and North Central College President Harold Wilde.

Track and field events include the 50-, 100-, 200-, 400-, 800- and 1,500-meter events; standing and running long jump; shot put; softball and tennis ball throw; high jump; walk races; wheelchair races; and powerlifting.

Athletes compete for free, with money raised from sponsors.

“We rely on the generosity of people to help us,” said Sandy Hutchins, Special Olympics area director. “Everything we do in Special Olympics, we rely on the support of sponsors.”

The main sponsor of Sunday's event is Sternberg Lighting in Roselle, along with North Central, which donates the facility.

Athletes train for eight weeks prior to the competition. Gold medal winners advance to Normal.

“It's just like any other athlete, it comes to this culminating event and they've worked very hard to get where they're at,” Hutchins said.

Athletes are grouped in divisions based on ability to keep the competition tight.

“It's a very competitive event,” she said. “It's very important to them to do well.”

Doors open at 8 a.m. Sunday and the event runs through 5 p.m. Admission is free.

“We always appreciate support from the community and getting out and coming to watch us, even if they don't have a direct connection,” Berg said. “It's just great to have people out there supporting the athletes and the Special Olympics.”

For information, visit soill.org.

If you go

What: Illinois Special Olympics Spring Games

When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 29

Where: North Central College's Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, 455 Brainard St., Naperville

Cost: Free

Info: soill.org