Approximately 900 Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) athletes headed home from the 2014 State Indoor Sports Tournament (IST) with medals hanging from their necks and ribbons fastened to their uniforms. Hundreds of coaches, volunteers and fans cheered on the athletes as they competed in team basketball, basketball skills and rhythmic and artistic gymnastics on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6 at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
The fun began Friday, April 4 with an Opening Ceremony and Parade of Athletes at Kolf Sports Center on campus. Afterwards, athletes met McRuff, the crime-solving dog, captured the moment in the photobooth and visited other fun-filled activity stations during the first-ever Olympic Village Expo.
Saturday night, SOWI athletes faced off on the basketball court in a game against our neighbors to the west, Special Olympics Minnesota and Special Olympics Team Wisconsin gymnasts gave spectators a taste of what to expect in New Jersey during the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games this summer.
Between competitions, athletes visited volunteer medical professionals for free, on-site eye, ear, oral health, and fitness screenings. Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® improves each athlete’s ability to train and compete in Special Olympics through healthcare screening, exams and education.
Click for photos and results from the tournament. Congrats to Donald Skelton and Dallas King, team managers of the Adams-Friendship Green Devils 1, who won the title of “Ultimate Fan” for their cheerleading skills! Stay tuned for more information on the State Summer Games coming up June 5-7 in Stevens Point!
