Last Day of Special Olympics Minnesotas 2009 Summer Games
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar to visit Healthy Athletes Village and hand out awards
Today is the last day to catch Summer Games action at the University of Minnesota! U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar will visit Healthy Athletes Village today from 9:30-10 a.m. and will hand out awards to Special Olympics Minnesota athletes from 10-10:30 a.m. at Bierman Field.
Healthy Athletes is an 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.
Healthy Athletes Village will offer MedFest, Opening Eyes, Health Promotion, a Health Fair and blood glucose screenings by the International Diabetes Center from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. today. MedFest, which runs from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., is an opportunity for current and prospective Special Olympics Minnesota athletes to receive a free sports physical, a requirement for Special Olympics registration.
Volleyball will take place at the University of Minnesota’s Recreation Center (1906 University Avenue SE) from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and tennis competition will be held at the University of Minnesota’s Baseline Tennis Center (1815 4th Street SE) from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. In addition, artistic gymnastics competition will start at 2:30 p.m. and conclude at 5:30 p.m. at Mini-Hops Gymnastics Club in Minnetonka (131 Cheshire Lane, Suite 100). Festivities will continue in Olympic Town, adjacent to Bierman Field, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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.
2009 Summer Games Schedule of Events
Saturday, June 20
University of Minnesota Bierman Athletics Complex
– Track and Field Competition 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
– Olympic Town 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
– Healthy Athletes Village
Opening Eyes 9 a.m. – noon
Blood Glucose Screening 9 a.m. – noon
MedFest 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Health Promotion 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Health Fair 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
University of Minnesota Recreation Center (3rd Floor)
– Volleyball Competition 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Baseline Tennis Center
– Tennis Competition 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Mini-Hops Gymnastics Club, Minnetonka
– Artistic Gymnastics Competition 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Source: Special Olympics Minnesota
First day of Special Olympics Minnesotas 2009 Summer Games
More than 1,100 athletes from across the state to compete
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.
2009 Summer Games
Schedule of Events
Thursday, June 18
University of Minnesota Bierman Athletics Complex
– Track and Field Competition 11:30 a.m. -3 p.m.
– Olympic Town Noon – 4 p.m.
– Healthy Athletes Village
Healthy Hearing Noon – 3 p.m.
Health Fair Noon – 3 p.m.
Fit Feet Noon – 4 p.m.
Friday, June 19
University of Minnesota Bierman Athletics Complex
– Track and Field Competition 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
– Olympic Town 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
– Healthy Athlete Village
FUNfitness 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Special Smiles 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Health Fair 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Opening Eyes 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Healthy Hearing 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Blood Glucose Screening 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Mini-Hops Gymnastics Club, Minnetonka
– Rhythmic Gymnastics Competition 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
University of Minnesota Bierman Field
– Pre-Ceremonies Entertainment 5 – 7:20 p.m.
– Celebration Ceremonies 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 20
University of Minnesota Bierman Athletics Complex
– Track and Field Competition 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
– Olympic Town 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Healthy Athletes Village
Opening Eyes 9 a.m. – noon
Blood Glucose Screening 9 a.m. – noon
MedFest 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Health Promotion 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Health Fair 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
University of Minnesota Recreation Center (3rd Floor)
– Volleyball Competition 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Baseline Tennis Center
– Tennis Competition 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Mini-Hops Gymnastics Club, Minnetonka
– Artistic Gymnastics Competition 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Source: Special Olympics Minnesota
2009 Special Olympics Minnesota Summer Games
More than 1,100 athletes to compete June 18-20 at the University of Minnesota
More than 1,100 Special Olympics athletes from across Minnesota will compete at the 2009 Summer Games June 18-20. One of five state Special Olympics Minnesota competitions annually, Summer Games includes track and field events at the University of Minnesota’s Bierman Athletics Complex (corner of 15th Avenue SE and 5th Street SE), volleyball at the University of Minnesota’s Recreation Center (1906 University Avenue SE), tennis at the University of Minnesota’s Baseline Tennis Center (1815 4th Street SE) and gymnastics competition at Mini-Hops Gymnastics Club in Minnetonka (131 Cheshire Lane, Suite 100). More than 1,600 volunteers will help make Summer Games possible, and all competitions are free and open to the public.
The 2009 Summer Games Celebration Ceremonies will be held Friday evening, June 19, at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Minnesota’s Bierman Field and will include guest speakers, an athlete parade, Minnesota law enforcement personnel and the ceremonial lighting of the “Flame of Hope” by a Special Olympics Minnesota athlete. Law enforcement volunteers will participate in a 2,000-mile Final Leg relay running the flame across Minnesota in the weeks leading up to Summer Games. The 2009 Torch Run will culminate at Bierman Field for Celebration Ceremonies.
Between competitions, athletes will have the chance to spend time in Olympic Town, where they can play carnival games, dance, sing and enjoy stage shows from a variety of Minnesota performers. Athletes can also partake in Healthy Athletes, an 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 a variety of free screenings, making referrals to local health practitioners and training health professionals and students about the needs of people with intellectual disabilities. The 2009 Summer Games Healthy Athletes Village runs throughout the games and will offer MedFest – an opportunity for current and prospective athletes to receive a free sports physical – as well as Healthy Hearing, Opening Eyes, Special Smiles, Fit Feet, FUNfitness and Health Promotion.
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.
2009 Summer Games Schedule of Events
Thursday, June 18
University of Minnesota Bierman Athletics Complex
– Track and Field Competition 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
– Olympic Town Noon – 4 p.m.
– Healthy Athletes Village
Healthy Hearing Noon – 3 p.m.
Health Fair Noon – 3 p.m.
Fit Feet Noon – 4 p.m.
Friday, June 19
University of Minnesota Bierman Athletics Complex
– Track and Field Competition 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
– Olympic Town 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
– Healthy Athlete Village
FUNfitness 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Special Smiles 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Health Fair 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Opening Eyes 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Healthy Hearing 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Blood Glucose Screening 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Mini-Hops Gymnastics Club, Minnetonka
– Rhythmic Gymnastics Competition 2:45 – 5:30 p.m.
University of Minnesota Bierman Field
– Pre-Ceremonies Entertainment 5 – 7:20 p.m.
– Celebration Ceremonies 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 20
University of Minnesota Bierman Athletics Complex
– Track and Field Competition 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
– Olympic Town 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
– Healthy Athletes Village
Opening Eyes 9 a.m. – Noon
Blood Glucose Screening 9 a.m. – Noon
MedFest 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Health Promotion 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Health Fair 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
University of Minnesota Recreation Center (3rd Floor)
– Volleyball Competition 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Baseline Tennis Center
– Tennis Competition 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Mini-Hops Gymnastics Club, Minnetonka
– Artistic Gymnastics Competition 2:45 – 5:30 p.m.
Source: Special Olympics Minnesota
Special Olympics Issues Report on the Impact of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Initiative
Vice President Biden Visits 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games; Healthy Athletes Venue
A new report released Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by Special Olympics found that based on their reported level of physical activity, Special Olympics athletes are more physically active than members of the general population in the United States.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will visit the Healthy Athletes venue at the World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho on Thursday, February 12, 2009. He will meet with athletes being screened for vision, and strength and conditioning.
The Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program was launched in 1997 to provide health screenings for athletes at the local, national, and international level. The Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004, which provides funding for the Healthy Athletes program through the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education and State, is up for reauthorization this year.
The report, titled “Serving Athletes, Families and the Community” finds that there is a strong connection between Special Olympics participation and health physical activity. However, the statistics are not so favorable with health hurdles routinely handled by the public in general, including vision, hearing, and dental care. Healthy Athletes employs seven unique and free health screening options, educational information and referral for follow-up care. Services are provided by health care professionals who volunteer their time and talents to benefit this otherwise medically under-served population.
Every athlete competing in the 2009 World Games will have an opportunity to receive free health screening through the Healthy Athletes programs. Since its official launch in 1997, Healthy Athletes has provided more than 700,000 health screenings to Special Olympics athletes worldwide, trained more than 76,000 health care professionals in nearly 100 countries in every part of the globe on the specific health concerns faced by people with intellectual disabilities (ID), and given more than 50,000 pairs of eyeglasses to those that need them free of charge.
“Special Olympics has a global reach not only with participation in the World Games, but every day, in every part of the world,” said Timothy Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics. “The global health crisis is particularly acute for those with intellectual disabilities. We are proud that the outreach and screening provided to athletes makes a huge difference in their ability to leave our competitions performing better and lead more productive, healthy lives. And it is our hope that more government leaders will realize that our health screenings not only change lives, but as proven over our 10 year history, this program saves lives.”
The Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act, HR-3151, authorized $15 million per year over five years in funding for the growth of Special Olympics Programs in communities across the United States and around the world, including expansion of sports programs, Healthy Athletes(R) screening services and education initiatives that foster greater understanding and respect for people with intellectual disabilities. The Act expires this year and Special Olympics hopes it will be championed for reauthorization.
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programs for nearly 3 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 180 countries, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people’s diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at http://www.specialolympics.org/.
Special Olympics Minnesota Launches Project UNIFY to Energize Youth
Special Olympics Minnesota receives $20,000 to support local programs as part of a nationwide Special Olympics initiative
Special Olympics Minnesota recently received $20,000 in funding to support Project UNIFY as part of Special Olympics International’s new national program. Project UNIFY is an initiative to activate young people across the United States in an effort to promote school communities where all young people are agents of change – fostering respect, dignity and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Minnesota believes that through sports, young people can make a difference in friendships, schools and communities.
In 2009, Special Olympics Minnesota will host a Project UNIFY “Challenges Through Choice” course to be offered to 16 students with intellectual disabilities and 16 students without intellectual disabilities. The goal is to UNIFY these students in an inclusive manner and foster positive lifelong skills, attitudes and diverse relationships. Special Olympics Minnesota will partner with eight Twin Cities metro-area high schools (Armstrong, Cooper, Edina, Eden Prairie, Hopkins, Minnetonka, St. Louis Park and Wayzata) to recruit for “Challenges Through Choice,” which will be held in a series of sessions Jan. 23, Feb. 20, March 20, April 24 and two classes in May at Hopkins High School in Minnetonka, Minn. from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Project UNIFY leadership activities will help develop the next generation of leaders and advocates for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The project was made possible by $4.4 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to fiscal 2008 appropriations under the authority of HR5131, “The Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act,” and the “Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,” which Special Olympics International received in June 2008.
To kick off Project UNIFY, 17 young people from across the country, aged 14-20, with and without intellectual disabilities, assembled in Washington, D.C., Sept. 18-20, 2008 for the first meeting of Project UNIFY’s Youth Advisory Committee. The committee met during the Department of Education’s 2008 Global Summit on Education, the theme of which was “Inclusive Practices for Students with Disabilities.”
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