Special Olympics Delaware hosts its Summer Games at the University of Delaware’s Athletic Complex this week.
This is Special Olympics Delaware’s 48th Annual Summer Games and director of media relations Jon Buzby says it’s a major event.
“We’re excited to welcome more than 600 children and adults from across the State of Delaware who are going to compete in six sports at the University of Delaware. It’s the 30th year that the Blue Hens have hosted the Summer Games. DuPont, the sponsor, as they been for almost 30 years as well,” Buzby said.
Buzby notes that more than 140 coaches have provided training over the past three months - preparing athletes for the competition, which runs from 8 a-m to 6 p-m Friday and from 8 a-m to 4 p-m on Saturday.
And Buzby adds that over 1,000 volunteers help make the event possible.
Buzby calls the Summer Games the agency’s “signature even.”
“For our athletes, it’s an opportunity for them to showcase the skills that they’ve been practicing for the last three months. Just like any high school athlete, any youth-sports athlete or any professional athlete...you know you put all that time and effort into practicing and you want to be given the opportunity to really show the State of Delaware what their abilities are,” said Buzby.
Buzby says the athletes compete in aquatics, bocce, powerlifting, softball, tennis and track and field.
The Summer Games actually got underway Wednesday night with the 32nd Annual Special Olympics Delaware Law Enforcement Torch Run, which started with a special ceremony at the Rehoboth Beach bandstand.
The torch makes stops at Legislative Hall Thursday afternoon at 2 and the Wilmington Police Department Friday morning around 9:45 before completing its 160-mile trek at the Opening Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark.
