Special Olympics Honors

Each year Special Olympics draws competitors from throughout Illinois for an uplifting track and field competition in the summer and a bowling competition in the fall. Special Olympics is a much anticipated event for many of the adults with intellectual disabilities that participate in the HSS Adult Day Training Program or who reside in our supportive housing program.

This year was no different with over 40 HSS athletes entering the competition. For track and field events the Regional competition was to be held at SIU Edwardsville. HSS had 34 athletes scheduled to compete at the Regionals but when it was rained out 13 HSS athletes were picked to go to state finals in Bloomington at Illinois State University. We were fortunate to have four medalists at State.

For the Bowling competition our athletes began practicing months before the competition at area bowling lanes. The Regional competition was in Fairview Heights and 31 HSS athletes participated and 8 athletes will advance to the Sectional competition in November. The State competition will be in Peoria in December.

Our client athletes are really happy about their Special Olympics experience. In addition to the competitions there are shared meals and activities including a huge dance in the evening. Many good memories were made for the competitors. And to make the Special Olympics experience even more special this year, the City of Waterloo honored our Olympian medalists with a recognition ceremony at the July 5th Waterloo City Council meeting.