More than 2,200 athletes from around the state will compete at Indiana State University in six sports: aquatics, track and field, bocce, bowling, horseshoes and volleyball as part of Special Olympics Summer Games June 2-4.
Approximately 2,000 coaches and volunteers will assist in events at venues throughout campus, with hundreds of spectators and family members attending throughout the weekend.
Law enforcement officers will journey 70 miles along U.S. 40 on Friday, June 2, running and bicycling 23 relay segments to deliver the "Flame of Hope" to Indiana State University.
Deputy Nancy Marvin of the Delaware County Police Department and Special Olympics athlete Stacy Barter of Evansville will deliver the torch to opening ceremonies at Hulman Center, where they will light the cauldron with the "Flame of Hope," officially opening the 2006 Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games.
Opening Ceremonies will kick off the official competition with a program including a parade of athletes, entertainment by jugglers, stilt walkers and the ISU Sparkettes, a laser light show and the lighting of the cauldron to open the Games. Summer Games Honorary Co-Chairs and Special Olympics parents Carl and Betty Erskine (Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers fame) will welcome the athletes, volunteers and spectators in attendance.
Special Olympics Indiana was organized in 1969 through the efforts of two Indiana State University faculty members. Their leadership resulted in the first Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games, which took place in Indianapolis in 1969. ISU has played an integral role in the history of Special Olympics Indiana, hosting the Summer Games 36 out of 38 years and hosting the organization?s Men?s State Basketball Tournament since 1971.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FRIDAY, JUNE 2
9 a.m. Torch Run Final Leg Kick-Off Ceremony at Victory Field (Indianapolis)
12:30-5:30 p.m. Preliminary competition begins at ISU
3:30 p.m. Torch arrives by relay at Marks Field
7 p.m. Opening Ceremonies at Hulman Center
SATURDAY, JUNE 3
8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Competition at ISU (with meal breaks)
All events are free and open to the public.
SUNDAY, JUNE 4
8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Competition at ISU
All events are free and open to the public.
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Contacts:
Joy Mahoney, Special Olympics Indiana, (317) 328-2003 or (317) 445-2851
(cell)
(Opening Ceremonies Only)Paula Meyer, ISU Communications & Marketing, (812) 237-3783 or (812) 841-4137 (cell)