Special Olympics to Host Athletes From Seven Counties This Weekend


specialolympics
More than 277 athletes coming from seven counties are expected to participate tomorrow in the regions largest Special Olympics event of the year.

The 42nd Annual Spring Games is scheduled to take place at Sunny Lane Field in Monmouth.

Following an Opening Ceremony, competition will take place in 19 sports–the most popular of which is track and field.

Area Director Cathy Betar says the organization has been planning this event for about year. Betar tells WGIL that the volunteer support of over 200 strong will be crucial tomorrow as well.

“For any big athletic event, it takes a lot of volunteers,” says Betar. “We only have two paid staff here in our area office, so obviously we can’t do everything. Working with our athletes takes a little bit more support than normal athletes do. We’ve got great support coming from all over the area, including a huge group coming from Western Illinois University.”

Betar adds, that “the athletes look forward to the friendship and encouragement they receive from volunteers.” She says many of the athletes make life-long friendships from the events.

All athletes competing tomorrow have reportedly been training for at least eight weeks as a part of the Special Olympics guidelines. The event will go on rain or shine. Opening Ceremonies begin at 10 a.m.

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