Special Olympics Regional Spring Games Held at EIU

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Published on April 27 2018 2:05 pm
Last Updated on April 27 2018 2:05 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

Families, volunteers and spectators cheered on men and women, boys and girls...all Special Olympics athletes...as they competed in the 2018 Region I Spring Games.

The Spring Games were held Friday at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. 427 athletes took part in track and field, the most popular of 18 sports offered by Special Olympics Illinois.

During the Opening Ceremony, all athletes marched in the parade of athletes and recited the Special Olympics oath: "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

Friday activities also included Consolidated Communications President and CEO Dick Lumpkin honored with the Midge McDowell Lifetime Service Award.

To compete in the Region I Spring Games, athletes must train for eight weeks. Athletes who won a gold medal at the region games qualify to compete in the Special Olympics Illinois State Summer Games to be held June 15-17 on the campuses of Illinois State University in Normal and Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. More than 4,000 athletes are expected to compete in the state summer games.

In July, a celebration is being planned to mark 50 years of Special Olympics.