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Special Olympics Had Big Turnout

Nearly 4,000 athletes from across the state competed in the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games on June 15-17 at Illinois State University in Normal.

Athletes competed in aquatics, track & field, bocce, gymnastics, powerlifting or soccer.

To compete in the State Summer Games, athletes must have completed eight weeks of training and qualified through Area or District competition. Athletes are divisioned based on age and skill level so that each athlete can have the opportunity to experience success while competing on a comparable playing field.

Also at this year’s Summer Games, 6- and 7-year-olds in the Young Athletes Program were able to participate in the 50-meter run, tennis ball throw and soccer skills.

Those in attendance included approximately 3967 athletes, 2,000 family members, 1621 coaches and 2,500 volunteers

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for more than 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 11,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics changes lives by empowering people with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential in sports and in life.

For more information,  call 800-394-0562 or visit our website at www.soill.org.

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