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First Day of Special Olympics Minnesota's 2009 Summer Games

Posted on: Thursday, 18 June 2009, 00:01 CDT

More than 1,100 athletes from across the state to compete

MINNEAPOLIS, June 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 1,100 athletes from across Minnesota will take part in state-level track and field, volleyball, tennis and gymnastics competition at the 2009 Special Olympics Minnesota Summer Games June 18-20. Track and field competition kicks off today from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Minnesota's Bierman Athletics Complex (corner of 15th Avenue SE and 5th Street SE). Athletes will continue to compete Friday and Saturday with the support of more than 1,600 volunteers and coaches, as well as countless family members and friends. All competitions are free and open to the public.

Between events, athletes will have the chance to spend time in Olympic Town, opening at noon today. Among the activities offered is Healthy Athletes, a free health screening initiative designed to increase the health and fitness of people with intellectual disabilities, a medically underserved population. The Healthy Athletes program works to improve access to health care by providing free screenings, making referrals to local health practitioners and training health professionals and students about the needs of people with intellectual disabilities. The 2009 Healthy Athletes Village will offer seven screenings throughout Summer Games, including Healthy Hearing, Fit Feet and Health Fair through 4 p.m. today.

In case of inclement weather, track and field competition continues in light rain but may be delayed or cancelled if there is a heavy downpour, lightning, high winds or other severe weather. Gymnastics and volleyball competitions are held indoors and will proceed regardless of weather. Tennis competition will go forward in dry weather but will be delayed or cancelled if there is rain.

For more information, visit Special Olympics Minnesota's Web site at www.specialolympicsminnesota.org.

Special Olympics Minnesota offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round sports training and competition. Through Special Olympics' athletic, health and leadership programs, people with intellectual disabilities transform themselves, their communities and the world.

SOURCE Special Olympics Minnesota

Source: PR Newswire

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