In advent of the Special Olympic Minnesota’s (SOMN) annual State Summer Games, thousands of athletes, supporters and fans will gather at Mall of America Rotunda this week for the Celebration of Champions event.
Starting June 18, more than 1,400 Special Olympics athletes from across the state will compete over two days in several Olympic-type sports including track and field, volleyball, gymnastics and tennis. The celebration ceremony, which begins the same day at 7:30 p.m., will recognize SOMN’s athletes, the organization’s partners in law and its other sponsors. The event will also highlight the upcoming Special Olympics World Games set in Los Angles at the end of July this year, and the Unified Relay Across America (URAA) – an event that takes the World Games torch across the country. The Flame of Hope, as the torch is know, will make its was through the mall during the festivities.
The family-friendly event is open to the public and will include performances from Lennon and Maisy of ABC’s hit show “Nashville,” Ian and the Dream and guest appearances from KSTP and ESPN. Also present – a few of the Minnesota Vikings and former players, including Matt Blair and Joey Browner, who helped lead a Punt, Pass and Kick clinic for 40 SOMN athletes in early June. The clinic was held at the Minnesota Vikings Winter Park Facility and helped the athletes learn football fundamentals for the state Unified Flag Football competition in October.
All SOMN athletes and law enforcement need to pre-register for the event. Attendees will receive a wristband for a specific spot in the Rotunda. Check-in will open at 1 p.m. on the mall’s fourth floor, and will be on the first come, first-served basis. Registration for the general public to opens at 5 p.m., also on the fourth floor, until the event reaches capacity.
The Summer Games themselves will take place at the Stillwater Area High School in Oak Park Heights, and will feature a 5K run/walk event and Healthy Athletics programs, like free health screenings for the participants. As one of the seven annual SOMN state competitions, the games showcases athletes with and without intellectual disabilities.
More information on the Celebration of Champions can be found at specialolympicsminnesota.org/champions.
