Special Olympics Connecticut will hold its annual Summer Games, presented by United Technologies Corporation, Friday through Sunday, June 8, 9 and 10 at Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, and Hamden Hall, Hamden. More than 2,300 athletes and partners from across the state are expected to compete in track & field, cycling, gymnastics, aquatics, soccer and tennis events. In addition to the competitors, 600 coaches and over 2,500 volunteers are expected to come out and support the event. Summer Games competitions and awards presentations will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Friday (June 8), 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday (June 9) and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday (June 10). For more information, detailed schedules, maps, and parking information, visit www.soct.org and click on Summer Games, email [email protected], or call 203-230-1201. Spectators are welcome.

Summer Games events are free and open to the public, including Opening Ceremonies which will take place Friday night (June 8) at Jess Dow Field on the Southern Connecticut State University campus at 7:15 pm. Connecticut law enforcement officers will help kick-off the event, after collectively running over 530 miles through more than 100 Connecticut cities and towns June 6-8 to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics as participants in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, an activity that annually precedes Summer Games.

Summer Games is the culminating event for athletes who’ve trained for a minimum of eight weeks in their respective sport and have completed trials and preliminary competitions at regional events. The event aims to showcase skills and inspirational sports performances of Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners (those without disabilities who train with their peers with intellectual disabilities); portray good sportsmanship and teamwork; and inspire an atmosphere where there’s respect and recognition for individuals of all abilities. Summer Games, for many, also offers the chance to reunite with peers, forge new friendships and demonstrate, publicly, what can be accomplished through their training. Of Special Olympics Connecticut’s more than 75 annual sporting events, Summer Games is the largest.

In addition to sports competitions, health screenings – that check teeth, feet, eyes, ears – will be conducted throughout the weekend to promote wellness as part of the Healthy Athletes initiative. An elaborate line-up of entertainment and social activities are also planned. Athletes and guests can also visit, Olympic Town, an area on the Summer Games campus where all can enjoy educational, cultural, interactive and creative activities.

For a third consecutive year, Special Olympics Connecticut is also partner with the organization Athletes for a Fit Planet to “green” Summer Games and reduce the environmental impact of the event through recycling and sustainability efforts.

In addition to United Technologies Corporation, sponsors include the Knights of Columbus, Alstom, Team ESPN, TD Bank, and Campus Customs – gold sponsors; Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Foxwoods Resort Casino and HCC Global Financial Products – silver sponsors; Geico and Mercer – bronze sponsors; and the Walter Camp Football Foundation and American Legion – contributing sponsors.

Media sponsors are NBC Connecticut, the New Haven Register, and Clear Channel Community Access Radio (The River 105.9, KC101, KISS 95.7, ESPN Radio 1410, ESPN 1300, Country 92.5, and 960 WELI).

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