Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) selected Benjamin Burow of Stevens Point 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.
Burow, who has been involved with SOWI for more than 25 years, currently participates in powerlifting. Throughout his time with SOWI, Burow has also participated in athletics, basketball, bowling, soccer and softball. Burow was the first-ever recipient of the Art Reinhart Sportsmanship Award. When he’s not training for Special Olympics, Burow works at Trig’s in Stevens Point.
“Special Olympics has greatly enriched my life,” said Burow. “I have been able to participate in many things I normally wouldn’t have been able to do. All my coaches have been very encouraging and made me feel successful.”
This will be Burow’s first trip to the USA Games. He will compete in powerlifting 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.
