Special Olympics Pennsylvania 48th Winter Games set for Seven Springs

From Feb. 10–12, more than 430 SOPA athletes, coaches and volunteers will gather from all over the state to participate in two days of competitions that will include Alpine skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, 777 Waterwheel Drive, Seven Springs, according to a press release.

In addition to the games, there will be opening ceremonies featuring the official lighting of the Olympic Cauldron by athletes and members of law enforcement, and a Mobile Polar Plunge at Seven Springs, where more than 100 resort employees will plunge with a purpose to support Special Olympics athletes.

Provided By Hailey Euston, Special Olympics PA

Spectators are welcome to participate in the opening ceremonies and cheer on the athletes. Ticketed skiers and riders are encouraged to watch and cheer on the athletes when they compete in snowshoeing and alpine skiing.

Snowshoeing a growing sport

Somerset will be bringing a snowshoe team to the Winter Games. The head coach is Collin MacIsaac. Sue Putman from Somerset is the snowshoe competition coordinator. She said her first time helping with the Special Olympics Winter Games was in 1994.

Putman said there are 136 athletes from all over the state competing in the snowshoe event this year.

Provided By Hailey Euston, Special Olympics PA

“It’s growing as a sport in Pennsylvania. It’s the only winter sport that doesn’t have to have snow. You can train even though there’s no snow. The grass is comparable to competing in packed snow,” she said. “Somerset’s athletes practice at the soccer fields on Saturdays.

“As far as Somerset County is concerned, we have a greater number of athletes competing. Snowshoeing opened it up to greater participation. The same athletes can compete in track and distance running in the summer.”

Special Olympics Pennsylvania provides year-round training and competition in 21 Olympic-type sports to more than 15,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities or closely related developmental disabilities.

This is the third year Vail Resorts has supported Special Olympics Pennsylvania through their Vail Resorts Epic Promise Foundation, which provides lift tickets, rental equipment and lessons to SOPA’s winter sports program, according to the press release.

“We try to talk about their times and the competition. It gets the athletes excited. They’re proud of themselves for doing this,” Putman said. “The community comes together for this. Schools come to help as volunteers. Some of the same adults come to help every year. We have about 50 volunteers each day of the competition.”

This year’s Winter Games Opening Ceremony will also recognize athletes and coaches who will be representing Pennsylvania at the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota from June 20–26. Special Olympics Pennsylvania is sending a delegation of more than 100 athletes and coaches to compete in 11 sports at the national games. Among the summer athletes honored at the Winter Games from Somerset County is Nikole Walker in swimming.

SOPA athletes will compete in final competitions for three Olympic-type sports. Following the competitions, SOPA athletes will participate in the awards and closing ceremonies. Competition venues are: snowshoeing at Bubly Park and alpine skiing and snowboarding at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Schedule of events

Feb. 10: Plunge and opening ceremonies to start the 48th annual Winter Games.

Hundreds of Special Olympics Pennsylvania athletes, coaches, families, and friends will participate. Mobile Polar Plunge begins at 4:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies begin at 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 11: Competition Day 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

SOPA athletes will compete in three Olympic-type sports. The day will end with a special Victory Dance for athletes to celebrate their accomplishments from the competition day. Competition and event venues will be snowshoeing at Bubly Tubing Park; alpine skiing and snowboarding at Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Feb. 12: Competition 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and award ceremonies 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information or to volunteer, visit www.SpecialOlympicsPA.org.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Special Olympics Pennsylvania 48th Winter Games set for Seven Springs

Reporting by Madolin Edwards, The Daily American / The Daily American

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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