FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (5/23/23) – Fifty years is a long time to do anything. This summer, Special Olympics Ohio’s State Summer Games will be hosted by the Ohio State University for the 50th year.
Preparing for the organization’s largest state-level annual sporting event as he has for the past thirty-two years, Ohio State University’s Dave DeAngelo, Senior Associate Director, Office of Student Life Recreational Sports; university liaison for Summer Games, has this to say, “Hosting Summer Games at Ohio State is the highlight of the summer for so many of us at the university. It has been our honor and privilege to host the games, and we can’t wait for this 50th year! The athletes, coaches and families are inspiring to the entire university community and we look forward to welcoming them all back June 23-25! On a personal note, I look back fondly as a 30 plus year volunteer to all the wonderful relationships that have been forged through the power of inclusion and sport.”
Over 3,300 athletes, Unified partners and coaches will participate in Traditional and Unified Sports competitions at the State Summer Games presented by The OSU Wexner Medical Center and Health Science Colleges. The Games, held June 23-25, include athletics (track & field), bocce, bowling (off-site), gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, tennis, and volleyball for athletes as well as Unified Sports® and Healthy Athletes® programs.
“This is the 50th year that Special Olympics Ohio has held our State Summer Games at The Ohio State University. We are so appreciative of the support from the university, The OSU Wexner Medical Center and Health Science Colleges as well as our other partners: Thomas Door, Sheetz, Big Lots Foundation, Morgan Stanley and AMVETS. This event is the highlight of the year for many of our athletes as they show off their hard work and training to prepare for this state-level competition. We invite the entire community to come witness the spirit, passion, and dedication of our athletes. You will be inspired.” says Jessica Stewart, Special Olympics Ohio’s President and CEO.
In addition to sports competitions, athletes will have access to free health screenings and education through the Healthy Athletes program. Healthy Athletes is not only a program for athletes, but it is also a program for healthcare students and professionals to increase their knowledge of best practices in caring for and communicating with people with ID.
Photos from the 2022 Summer Games can be viewed here.
About Special Olympics Ohio
Special Olympics Ohio is part of the global inclusion movement using sport, health, education, and leadership programs to empower people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Ohio provides year-round sports training and competition in 19 different sports for 20,000 children and adults, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.