Columbia will host the Special Olympics Missouri State Summer Games beginning this year through 2015. Columbia previously hosted the games in 2002.
“The decision to host the Summer Games in Columbia was made based on several criteria,” said Gary Brimer, chief sports officer of Special Olympics Missouri.
Special Olympics Missouri spokesman Ben Stewart said one of the reasons Columbia was chosen is the population of energized students who know the city and can be generous with their time.
Also, during the summer, MU has enough residence hall space to support Olympics participants, Brimer said.
Columbia’s Public Information Specialist Tammy Miller said the city organizes the local Special Olympics through parks and the MU Student Recreation Complex, which helps students to participate easily.
For the State Summer Games in Columbia, various games will be presented including swimming, track & field, bowing, basketball, power lifting and volleyball.
“We’re expecting to see more than 3,500 athletes and coaches in Columbia for the State Summer Games,” Stewart said.
The Games will be hosted from May 29 to June 1. Special Olympics Missouri is a year-round sports program.
Stewart said many people who are not involved with the program think of it as a once-a-year event, or once-every–four-year-event, yet it is really a much larger program that encourages a healthy lifestyle for more than 15,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities.
“It’s our biggest event of the year, which means we’ll need at least 1,000 volunteers during those four days,” Stewart said.
Sophomore special education major Joshua Kim said it gives volunteers a life experience that is like no other. Kim has volunteered at the event for four years during high school.
“It gives a sense of humbleness to a person because you are thankful for the things you have in life and a sense of wanting to give back to people that are less fortunate,” he said.
He also said that it will be the most rewarding things a college student can be a part of because people get to feel the courage and passion through supporting these athletes.
Columbia Ward 6 Council Representative Barbara Hoppe said the summer State Special Olympics is a wonderful event to showcase individuals who strive to reach their maximum potential despite disabilities.
“It is not only good economically for the city, but it reminds all of us to ‘reach for the stars’ and fully use our unique talents and abilities as well as encouraging others to do so,” she said.
Furthermore, residents can make additional donations to support this event and also help send these athletes to the World Games.
“Residents can support the event by attending and volunteering to help, participate and donate to the Polar Plunge fund raising events that is held every year at Stephen’s Lake Park,” she also said.
Hoppe said Special Olympics Missouri is seeking about $100,000 in donations, which is about half the cost of the games including in-kind donations.
