Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) selected Kristen Knutsen of Hartland 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.
Knutsen, who has been involved with SOWI for 20 years, participates in athletics, gymnastics and volleyball. Knutsen is no stranger to high-level competition; she competed in the 1999 Special Olympics World Games in North Carolina where she received a bronze medal in gymnastics. When she’s not training for Special Olympics, Knutsen is working at Memorial Hospital in Oconomowoc.
“Special Olympics has helped me become a better athlete,” said Knutsen. “I am looking forward to representing my local team and the State of Wisconsin at the USA Games.”
This will be Knutsen’s first trip to the USA Games. She will compete in gymnastics 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.
