Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) selected Andrew Dalin of Milwaukee as one of 62 athletes to represent Team Wisconsin at the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games in Princeton, New Jersey on June 14-21, 2014. Wisconsin athletes will compete in athletics, aquatics, bocce, bowling, flag football, gymnastics, powerlifting and volleyball.
Dalin, who has been involved with SOWI for 17 years, participates in athletics, basketball, bocce and bowling. He is currently attending Waukesha County Technical College to become an office technology assistant. When he’s not training for Special Olympics or attending classes, he works at his local Good Will.
“Special Olympics means a great deal to me,” said Dalin. “It has taught me to be more independent and I have made new friends. I have also been given the opportunity to be a leader and help my fellow athletes.”
This will be Dalin’s second trip to the USA Games; he attended the 2010 USA Games in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he won the silver medal in bocce. He will once again compete in bocce and will be one of 86 delegates representing Team Wisconsin at the 2014 USA Games in New Jersey.
SOWI will host an official training camp for Team Wisconsin athletes on May 17-18, 2014 at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. The 2014 USA Games will showcase the abilities of athletes with intellectual disabilities, promote the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport, and celebrate the transformative power of Special Olympics. A total of 3,500 athletes, 1,000 coaches and delegates, 10,000 volunteers and 70,000 spectators will attend.
Sports competition will be held at venues throughout Mercer County, New Jersey, including Princeton University, Rider University, The College of New Jersey, Mercer County Park and several area private schools. There will be ample opportunities for supporters across the state to show their spirit and join the team through volunteerism, donations and attendance. For more information or to learn more about how you can support a local athlete, visit www.SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org/USAGames.
