Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) selected David George of Berlin 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.
George has competed in Special Olympics basketball, flag football and softball for approximately 20 years. When he isn’t training or competing, George works at Magnum Power Products in Berlin. George has played flag football with his friends ever since elementary school and is thrilled to have the opportunity to compete in New Jersey.
“Going to the USA Games means I get to be with teammates, play football with people from all different backgrounds, go someplace I’ve never been before and play teams we’ve never played before,” said George. “You never know if you might get an opportunity like this again.”
According to George, Special Olympics encouraged him to become more responsible and helped him develop social skills.
“I was always afraid and shy before Special Olympics,” he said. “Now I’m always looking for new friends.”
George will compete in flag football 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.orgUSAGames.
