Special Olympics summer games offers new programs, annual traditions
Josephine Alinoti, Ann Arbor, center, ties for 3rd in the 50m dash at the 2014 Special Olympics Michigan Summer Games.
As soon as the 2015 Michigan Special Olympics Summer Games are over, the organization's management team begins working on next year's games.
It's biggest annual event, this year's summer games, May 28-30 at Central Michigan University, will host 2,704 athletes and 2,000 volunteers. Also present will be 340 coaches, 20 young athletes and 1 Special Olympics USA member.
Ann Guzdzial, chief program officer for Special Olympics Michigan, said the first highlight of the weekend for athletes and their families is the opening ceremony.
"The adrenaline and the way they get pumped up when they get to march in is fantastic," Guzdzial said. "It's an amazing sight when you see the football stadium filled with athletes. They are so proud to be there."
The summer games include 22 sports, from basketball to bocce. At competitions, athletes compete in divisions based on age, gender and ability.
This summer, unified volleyball will be played for the first time. More than 360 Project Unify students will compete with Special Olympians in volleyball, bowling and bocce.
Project Unify is a program in which sports and education are used to change school culture, showing examples of respect, dignity, advocacy and friendship between those with and without intellectual disabilities.
For its second year, SOMI will offer a kayaking clinic in the Student Activity Center pool.
"It was interesting when they did it last year," Guzdzial said. "I was thinking (it should be) in the pond, but they can raise the floor of the pool up so it's easier to get in the kayaks."
The theme for the games this year is "Hollywood" to recognize the location of the World Games, which will take place in Los Angeles. A power lifter and volleyball team from Michigan are attending the World Games this year, and will be marching in the opening ceremony.
"I'm not sure what kind of stars will show up, because athletes love to dress to the theme of the games," Guzdzial said.
Chief executive officer of SOMI Lois Arnold said the games will work around the construction happening on Central Michigan University's campus.
"All the construction will be a challenge, but the university has been very willing to work with us on that," Arnold said. "They're doing some things to make it the best situation they can for us."
Other yearly highlights for the games include the Young Athletes Program, where athletes ages two to seven can engage in activities design to foster physical, cognitive and social development. The Healthy Athletes Program, hosted for more than a decade, will offer free health screenings and information to athletes and families.
During the closing ceremony and victory dance, SOMI Communications Director Aaron Mills said the song "Who Let the Dogs Out" will play, an annual tradition of the State Summer Games.
"This song is always the first song played at every athlete dance," Mills said.
