Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) selected Randy Anderson of Clayton 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.
Anderson has earned many ribbons and medals competing in SOWI basketball, bowling, softball, and snowshoeing over the past five years. According to Anderson, Special Olympics has allowed him to reach higher goals.
“It has made me healthier and given me a lot of sports opportunities,” he said. “[Special Olympics] makes me feel like a champion because I can play, not just sit on the bench.”
Anderson was involved in starting a peer tutoring program for special education students and received a Community Service Award. Through Special Olympics, he said he has learned to be all he can be, try his hardest, and be proud of himself.
“I will make Team Wisconsin proud,” he said. “I will [also] share my experiences [from the Special Olympics USA Games] with other athletes so they can try to push themselves to go.”
Anderson 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.org/USAGames.
