Virtual Special Olympics even more accessible
Jessica Clayton is a competitive swimmer who is afraid of water and cannot swim.
The 28-year-old Bethel Park native has cerebral palsy, and thus getting in the water can be dangerous. It’s the rare obstacle that has stymied Ms. Clayton, who otherwise has been able to compete in Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s summer games since she was 10, usually specializing in track and field.
She and her mother, Pam Clayton, were expecting to head to Penn State this weekend for the 2020 games, but their plans were derailed when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of inperson competitions. The organization, however, pivoted to a
virtual summer games format, one that only asked its athletes to send in videos of their best times or scores in certain events.
With that benchmark, Jessica Clayton entered the freestyle swimming competition, which only required her to kick and paddle on dry land, something she never would have been able to do at Penn State. The fully virtual summer games provide Ms. Clayton and other athletes like her with an opportunity to stay active, connect with friends and try out sports in which they never would have been able to compete otherwise.
“Somebody who can’t swim can do a virtual swimming event, which is awesome,” Pam Clayton said.
Special Olympics PA usually hosts about 2,100 athletes competing in eight sports at Penn State every summer, according to Teresa Amaturo, the organization’s competition director for the central part of Pennsylvania. She said it wasn’t the easiest task to “stop and switch gears” from planning a physical event to a digital one, but it was a necessary adjustment.
“There had been conversation about what things would look like if we can’t make it in person,” she said. “Those ideas were out there, so once the decision was made, it was about, ‘What can we do?’ ”
Ms. Amaturo said after “a lot of back-and-forth” from a 45-member committee, Special Olympics PA settled on a format in which athletes could choose to compete in three of 22 available events, spend a few weeks training and then submit their best scores and times. The deadline for that was Sunday, and now all those videos have been edited into compilation tapes that will be shown Friday-Sunday on the organization’s website and its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
The virtual weekend will include a pre-recorded opening ceremony, highlights from this year’s entries, video snippets of doctors reminding the athletes of how they can maintain healthy lifestyles yearround, an “Olympic village” with virtual trivia and bingo games, and a closing ceremony complete with a DJ and “victory dance.” This year’s games will also feature guest appearances from Gov. Tom Wolf, former Steelers running back Franco Harris, and Eagles linebacker Alex Singleton and defensive end Joe Ostman, among others.
Ms. Amaturo said 1,140 athletes have entered the 2020 virtual games.
“All we’ve really talked about is how COVID has impacted our organization, how has it been difficult for our athletes,” she said. “For one weekend, we can put that aside and celebrate who we are, what all our athletes have accomplished.”
It hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing, though. Ms. Amaturo said the main logistical hurdles for planning related to “everyone’s circumstances being different,” which encompasses factors such as figuring out what sports can still be played from the athletes’ homes, what kinds of equipment they have on hand and — for the purposes of submitting videos and being able to enjoy this weekend’s festivities — whether they have access to internet.
Regardless, those involved with the state’s Special Olympics community are excited to see how the virtual games unfold. Just ask Carol Erzen, staff development director at Merakey Allegheny Valley School, a nonprofit that provides services to those with disabilities. She was able to register 34 Western Pennsylvania athletes for the virtual games.
“I think that the athletes are just super excited to be able to be engaged and be able to connect with other athletes throughout Pennsylvania,” she said. “One thing with Special Olympics, along with the competition it’s also about the social aspect. There will also be a lot of fun activities and ways for people to connect with each other, and that’s what it’s really all about.”
That’s certainly the case for James Alexander, 50, of North Versailles, who would have been competing in his sixth Special Olympics basketball event this year at Penn State. Instead, he and his brother Chris — also a Special Olympian — are competing in basketball and softball for the virtual games. James appreciates how the Special Olympics have helped the two “become more active and find new friends.”
“I’m glad that me and my brother have found Special Olympics because I’m a very active person and ... I’m as active as I am because of Special Olympics sports,” he said.
As for Ms. Clayton, her mother said she is “not a competitive person” and cares more about the color of a ribbon or medal than what place it represents. But she enjoys being around people, and this weekend will give her an opportunity to do just that.
“The virtual games I’m sure are a lot to put together, but I’ve been extremely impressed with what they’re doing for the kids,” Pam Clayton said. “The time and what they’re putting into it, I’m very happy, and it just makes me feel good that they really, really are out there because there are a lot of places that are just shut down right now. Just to see the dedication to the kids is awesome.”