Special Olympics Games this weekend in Columbus
More than 2,500 athletes along with family, friends and supporters will converge on the Ohio State campus this weekend for Special Olympics Ohio’s Summer Games. The event held every year in Columbus brings together participants from age 8 and up for a weekend of competition and sportsmanship. Athletes will take part in events including:
aquatics- track & field
- bocce
- bowling
- cycling
- equestrian
- golf
- gymnastics
- powerlifting
- roller skating
- soccer
- softball
- tennis
- volleyball
Opening ceremonies will take place Friday night at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Competition will take place throughout the weekend at various venues on the Ohio State campus. (Bowling events will take place at Sawmill Lanes and roller skating at United Skates of America.)
Leading up to the start of this year’s Summer Games is the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. More than 2,000 representatives of various Ohio law enforcement agencies will take part in what Special Olympics Ohio’s Kate Burdett tells me is the organization’s largest grassroots fundraising program. The run is a relay of five torches being carried towards the games from all parts of the state on bike and by foot over the course of a week. Friday evening, all of the torches will reach the State Highway Patrol Academy in Columbus. From there, all officers assembled…including their vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and all…will carry the joined Flame of Hope the remaining 3.2 miles to Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. There, it will be passed to Special Olympics Ohio athletes who will light the cauldron signaling to let the games begin.
Good luck to all! (jj)
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