City of Whitewater officials have announced that the city, along with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, will be hosting the 2023 Special Olympics Summer Games.
According to information released by city officials, the games will be held June 8 through 10 on the UW-Whitewater campus.
More than 1,400 athletes from across the state will compete in track and field, cornhole, powerlifting, tennis, and soccer, the release stated.
Special Olympics, according to the release, is a global movement that “unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports. It empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, leading to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Using sports as the catalyst as well as programming around health and education, Special Olympics works to end inactivity, injustice and intolerance.”
“The city of Whitewater couldn’t be happier to do our part supporting the 2023 Special Olympic games taking place in our community. It’s fitting that such a diverse and inclusive event be hosted in such a diverse and inclusive community,” Whitewater City Manager John Weidl was quoted a saying in the release.
Among activities associated with this year’s event are a parade of athletes and an opening ceremony, and the final leg of the “Law Enforcement Torch Run®,” the release stated.
Event-goers are encouraged to watch the games from “the stands” and volunteer, the release noted.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run has a stated mission of bringing awareness to the games and help raise funds to support them. The group has raised more than $600 million in support of Special Olympics since its formation in 1981. The grassroots fundraising movement began in Kansas according to online information.
For more about the Law Enforcement Torch Run, including how to participate and donate, visit the group’s website: https://www.specialolympics.org/get-involved/partners-of-the-movement/government-ngo-partners/law-enforcement-torch-run.
Registration and participation in the event is free, according to information released by city officials.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run will be held Thursday, June 8. Participants are asked to gather in Cravath Lakefront Park at 5 p.m. The run is set to begin at 5:30 p.m., with participants anticipated to reach Perkins Stadium, on the UW-Whitewater campus, at 6 p.m.
For information about the games, as provided on the UW-Whitewater website, visit: https://www.uww.edu/news/archive/2022-12-special-olympics.
For information about volunteering, as provided on the UW-Whitewater website, visit: https://www.cervistech.com/acts/console.php?console_id=0392&console_type=cookie&redirect_token=u43BZZLVjeb4a9JITLsP0w==:VJnSmsUDVC63PxOgnjLafdnN8e+9af88d80Ct114v6EwDuWUZ4nrXEqh7KFa6Z01&ht=1.
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