Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) selected Leslie Adams of Glendale 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.
Adams, who has been involved with SOWI for 20 years, participates in aquatics, basketball, bowling and tee ball. When she’s not training for Special Olympics, Adams works at the Radisson Hotel in Glendale. Adams has held her position for 13 years and feels proud every time she receives her paycheck, which she loves to spend on her family and friends.
“Special Olympics has made me more confident,” said Adams. “I have learned new sports and made new friends. Going with my team to each State Games [event] has made me feel more grown-up and special.”
This will be Adams’ first trip to the USA Games. She will compete in aquatics 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 on Team Wisconsin, or to learn more about how you can support a local athlete, visit www.SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org/USAGames.
