The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Summer Games will go virtual
Even without the ability to gather in groups or to host sporting events, Special Olympics Connecticut has managed to keep its summer event alive, thanks to Sara Pierson and her team.The 2020 Summer Games will be held virtually so that the 2,600 athletes competing annually can still partake in the annual weekend they look forward to so much.
“Our in-person event was scheduled for June 12 and 13 and then when this whole crisis came about we really didn’t want that weekend to go by,” said Pierson, the senior director of sports and local programs. “This is the biggest event we have all year so we went to a virtual platform. We really wanted to keep the spirit of Special Olympics Connecticut alive so to speak, by having athletes participating in activates at home in a safe environment.”
The virtual games will consist of 12 activities, with swimming being the lone event cut from the 2020 games.
“We will come together virtually to celebrate their accomplishments in posting an honor roll of all their activities and scores on our website and Facebook page,” Pierson said. “We selected 12 activities in track and field, cycling, soccer, and tennis that can all be done at home. Our goal is to engage as many athletes as possible just to get outside, have some fun and look forward to being highlighted during the virtual games weekend.”
Pierson and the members of her team have not only been able to replicate the competitions, but are planning to bring other traditions to the virtual stage, such as the dance party that takes place on stage following the ceremonies.
“We have our Special Olympics opening ceremonies starting on Friday, June 12, and it will have a lot of the same key elements that we would have had in person,” Pierson said. “Our sponsors will say a few words, we will have an
athlete sing the national anthem and say the oath, and then iHeartRadio is going to be hosting a virtual dance party on all five of their radio stations, so that is something the athletes can really look forward to.”
The posting of the events will take place June 13, as photo or video submissions will be posted on social media platforms as well as the Special Olympics Connecticut website.
“On Saturday we will be posting the events throughout the day; the athletes have the option to record themselves or send in a picture that we will be posting,” Pierson said. “We also have lots of our longtime supporters that are prerecording messages of encouragement and support for our athletes that we will be releasing all day Saturday (June 13).”
Athletes can compete in as many of the events as they would like, and results will be likely be posted by category, with track and field being posted at once, followed by cycling and so on.
Chelsea Dolny, a competitor
in the games for the last 20 years, is among the many athletes looking forward to competing and participating in the activities on the virtual stage.
“I’m really excited,” said Dolny, who started competing when she was 8. “I miss my friends and I miss my teammates, so I am glad. My mom will videotape me and my dad, who is my coach, will time me.”
Dolny will compete in multiple events, her favorite being the 100-meter run, and is looking forward to the dance party tradition as well.
“I am excited for the dance party, I love music and dancing,” Dolny said. “I went out on the stage last year, it was so much fun. My friends that do it with me are all excited.”
Special Olympics Connecticut’s goal is to give athletes a chance to compete in the games despite these trying times, but said safety is their top priority.
“We just want to make sure people follow the social distancing guidelines,” Pierson said. “It is something that you should just be doing at home. We want people to be safe by following the CDC and government guidelines.”