Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) selected Melanie Olivo of Ashland 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.
Olivo, who has been involved with SOWI for 12 years, participates in aquatics, basketball, bowling and snowshoeing. One of Olivo’s proudest moments came in 2009 when she won the gold medal in the 200 meters for snowshoe racing at the Special Olympics World Games in Idaho. When she’s not training for Special Olympics, Olivo works at the Black Cat Coffee House in Ashland.
“Special Olympics has brought me out of my shell,” said Olivo, who likes to dye her hair a different color every time her team attends a state competition. “When I compete and win a medal, I feel proud.”
This will be Olivo’s first trip to the USA Games. She will compete in bowling 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.
