1500 Special Olympics athletes from across the state comprising of 120 teams will put their abilities in basketball to the test this weekend in Bloomington for the 2012 Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament.

Special Olympics is a non-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competitions in 19 sports for more than 21-thousand athletes with intellectual disabilities and 11-thousand athletes aging two to seven years old with or without intellectual disabilities. Their programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and they encourage community and family support.

Saturday the main event takes place for all divisions from 8 am to 5 pm at the Horton Fieldhouse on the campus of Illinois State University and the Shirk Center at Illinois Wesleyan University. A skills competition will take place from 9 am to 3:30 pm at both locations and the Opening Ceremonies will take place at 8 pm at Horton Fieldhouse.

Sunday events will be Seniors and Female Divisions play at 8 am at Horton Fieldhouse and the Shirk Center.

The public is invited and welcome to attend the tournaments which are free of charge.