New Haven Register (Sunday) (New Haven, CT)
Avelo Airlines sends Special Olympians to Florida in style
NEW HAVEN — Fifty athletes, coaches and delegates for Special Olympics Connecticut set off Saturday for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, traveling to Orlando courtesy of Avelo Airlines.
State and local leaders were on hand at Tweed New Haven Regional Airport for the sendoff, including U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3; Special Olympics Connecticut President Beau Doherty; Avelo Airlines Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy; Tweed New Haven Airport Authority Executive Director Sean Scanlon; and East Haven Mayor Joseph Carfora, according to a release.
“We are thrilled that our team will be flying Avelo Airlines to the Special Olympics USA Games,” Doherty said in the release. “Having the opportunity to compete at the national level will allow these athletes to form new friendships, demonstrate their athletic skills and create memories to last a lifetime. We are immensely grateful for Avelo’s generous support and involvement in making our Team’s USA Games experience possible.”
Avelo is flying the group free of charge, according to the release, and the departure ceremony included a “water salute in the form of a ceremonial water arch” from the New Haven Fire Department.
“Supporting the Special Olympics has always been incredibly important to me. It has touched so many lives across Connecticut. This is a special moment that I am so honored to be a part of,” DeLauro said in the release. “I could not be more proud to join Team Connecticut’s sendoff here at Tweed Airport in New Haven and congratulate them on a hard-fought journey. These athletes are the very best of Connecticut and demonstrate courage, strength, and are sharing their talent and gifts with the world. The Special Olympics is a reflection of how we can achieve greatness no matter what challenges we face, and these games show us that we are all in this together. It teaches us to embrace overcoming obstacles, taking pride, celebrating teamwork, and encouraging human equality.”
In addition to flying the group to Orlando, Avelo is supporting Special Olympics Connecticut as a Gold Sponsor of the Summer Games, which began Saturday in Fairfield, according to the release, and Avelo employees will volunteer at the event.
“These athletes and coaches represent the very best of Connecticut. We are honored to be helping Team Connecticut get to Orlando to participate in the Special Olympics USA Games,” Levy said in the release. “These athletes’ courage, dedication and teamwork are an inspiration to us all. We can’t wait to welcome the team aboard and cheer them on in the days ahead.”
The Connecticut athletes will attend the Special Olympics USA Games to compete in individual and Unified team sports including basketball, track and field, swimming and gymnastics, the release said.