Monthly Archives: June 2023

Indiana State was supposed to be hosting a Super Regional this weekend. Instead, the 16th-seeded Sycamores will travel to Fort Worth, Texas for a date with unseeded TCU instead.

The change in venue was necessitated thanks to preexisting plans in Terre Haute. The Indiana chapter of the Special Olympics had already reserved the date to hold its 51st annual Summer Games the same weekend. Without enough hotel rooms to meet the demand of local and traveling fans as well as ESPNs production crew the decision was made to shift the best-of-three series south following the Horned Frogs upset of top-seeded Arkansas Monday.

Its a difficult decision for Sycamores players who earned the right to play one more series at home, only to have it taken away for reasons outside their control. And its an unexpected blessing for a TCU team that suddenly gets the advantage of a partisan crowd. But the Horned Frog faithful are paying their good fortune forward with donations to Special Olympics Indiana.

The Lupton Drinking Club, a TCU sports-based podcast, put out a call to action June 5. In fewer than two days, its been retweeted more than 800 times. Thats resulted in more than $23,000 in new funding for the Special Olympics.

Special Olympics Indiana CEO Jeff Mohler saw the donations as a sigil of true sportsmanship.

Sports at its truest, Mohler told Indianapolis NBC affiliate WTHR. The most fundamental part of our society is for the betterment of who we are as individuals and this is a testimony to that, what sports could and should be. It is more than competition, although we do like to keep score, obviously the scoreboard is on, but we can all be better for it, if we live it in the right spirit.

In this case, TCU fans were able to turn a negative for Indiana State into a positive for residents across the Hoosier State. That may not be the outcome Sycamore fans wanted, but its a result with which they can find a silver lining.

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TCU baseball fans donated more than $23k to Special Olympics Indiana - For The Win

The University of Minnesota gymnastics team has added Ava Stewart to the program, the team announced Wednesday.

Stewart, who represented Team Canada at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, graduated from high school in the spring of 2023. The 2024 Paris Olympic hopeful will join the Gophers after she completes her training and potential participation in the Olympics and prior to the 2025 NCAA season.

"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Ava to our program," head coach Jenny Hansen said. "She brings a tremendous amount of international competitive experience and incredible skill level that will make her an instant standout in the NCAA."

Stewart trains at Gemini Gymnastics and is coached by 1980 Olympic All-Around Champion Elena Davydova.

Stewart, who was born in Lebanon, Tenn., moved to Bowmanville, Ontario at the age of four. She has been competing for Team Canada since 2020 and made her international debut at the 2021 Olympic Games when she was 15. Since then she has competed at the 2022 City of Jesolo Stewart Trophy, where she helped Canada finish third in the team competition. Individually she qualified to and finished fifth in the uneven bars event final. In July of 2022, Stewart competed at the Pan American Championships where she helped Canada finish third as a team.

At this year's Canadian National Championships, she was the Bars National Champion while also finishing second in the all-around. Stewart will look to qualify to the 2023 World Championships this fall before her quest to make the 2024 Olympic Team for Canada.

"I chose Minnesota because the team felt like home, and the place felt like somewhere I could grow as a person," Stewart said.

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University of Minnesota Athletics - GopherSports.com

The headquarters of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was stormed by French anti-pension reform protesters on Tuesday in the wake of French PresidentEmmanuel Macrons decision to raise the retirement age.

An estimated 281,000 took to the streets in a last-minute attempt to pressure lawmakers into reversing the decision, which led to the HQ building located in Aubervilliers in northern Paris briefly being occupied.

There was no violence and no damage, a Games spokesperson said, according to Reuters.

There were far fewer protesters on Tuesday compared to the previous demonstration on May 1, which attracted an estimated 782,000.

Trade unions have been fighting Macrons move to make French citizens work longer to reach retirement age dating back to January, with numerous strikes and protests having taken place over the last six months.

Macron has said it was a necessary move to lift the legal retirement age by two years to 64 to fill in a widening pension deficit, though trade unions have suggested the money could be plugged in other ways, such as raising taxes for the wealthy.

Some protesters have threatened to disrupt next summers Paris Olympics if there isnt change, with some of the banners seen during the protests reading: No retirement, No Olympics.

French parliament is set to review an opposition-sponsored motion aimed at canceling the minimum pension age increase on Thursday. Its expected to be rejected (under the constitution, lawmakers cannot pass legislation that impacts public finances without measures to offset those costs, as reported byReuters), though unions hope a big protest turnout could pressure lawmakers into holding a vote.

We need to prepare for whats to come (after the summer), said Jean-Luc Carbonari, a 60-year-old sewer works engineer, according to Reuters. We need to reverse the political balance of power.

Read more here:

Paris 2024 Olympic Headquarters Stormed By French Pension Protesters - SwimSwam

A special event was held at Zappeion Hall in Athens. Credit: AMNA

The Flame of Hope was lit on Wednesday and presented to officials and athletes of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 in two separate special events, one at Zappeion Hall and another in the grounds of the German School of Athens.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou was present at the torch-lighting ceremony that was held at Zappeion Hall, prior to the Flames arrival at the German School.

At Zappeion Hall, Sakellaropoulou and German Ambassador to Greece Ernst Reichel presented the flame to Sven Albrecht (CEO Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023), Mahmut Ozdemir (Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Ministry of the Interior for Home Affairs) and Dr. Nicola Bocker-Giannini (State Secretary for Sport at the German Senate Department for Internal Affairs & Sport).

They in turn presented the torch to Special Olympics athletes Vassiliki Katsoudi and Natascha Wermelskirchen, who, together with Berlin police officer Maja Seidel, started the first torch run through the streets of Athens to the German School of Athens, briefly stopping at 12 locations in Athens.

Addresses were delivered by Special Olympics Hellas president, Ambassador Dionyssios Kodellas, and Special Olympics regional president & managing director for Europe and Eurasia David Evangelista.

The flame will travel from Athens to Berlin on Thursday. The opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games 2023 will be held at Berlins Olympiastadion on June 17, while the games will be held through June 25.

The 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games will mark the first time that Germany has hosted the Special Olympics World Games.

There will be about 7,000 athletes and Unified partners from approximately 170 countries competing in 24 sports, with 3,000 coaches and 20,000 volunteers.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Greece also hosts the ceremony for the Olympic Flame which is lit every four years at Olympia, where the ancient Olympic Games were held.

This ceremony starts the Olympic torch relay, which formally ends with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. The flame then continues to burn in the cauldron for the duration of the Games, until it is extinguished during the Olympic closing ceremony.

The Olympic Flame for the 2024 Paris Games will take to the seas from its birthplace in Greece, arriving aboard a three-masted tall ship in the French port of Marseille.

Continue reading here:

Special Olympics 2023 'Flame of Hope' Lit in Athens - Greek Reporter

Jordyn Wieber and Chris Brooks are officially married!!!

The 27-year-old Fierce Five Olympic gold medalist and the 36-year-old Olympic gymnast said I Do in front of just less than 200 guests in Bentonville, Arkansas, back on Sunday, May 28th.

Get more info inside

Our wedding was an absolute dream I got married to my best friend, all of our favorite people were there to celebrate with us, and every detail was perfect, Jordyn shared on Instagram, along with a few photos.

Some of the guests in attendance were her fellow Fierce Five teammates, Aly Raisman and Kyla Ross, as well as fellow Olympic gymnasts Madison Kocian and Jake Dalton.

To become husband and wife is so exciting, Jordyn shared with People. It means we are committing to building a special and meaningful life together and to make the commitment in front of our favorite people at our wedding meant the world to us.

Jordyn and Chris first met in 2011, but didnt start dating until years later in 2017. They were then engaged in 2021.

If you recall, Jordyn competed in the 2012 Olympics in London, where, along with her team, won a gold medal in Womens Gymnastics. The next summer Olympics, Rio in 2016, Chris competed on the Mens team, placing 14th overall in the individual mens all around.

Congratulations to Jordyn and Chris on their nuptials!!!

If you missed it, another Olympic gold medalist gymnast recently got married

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Olympic Gymnasts Jordyn Wieber & Chris Brooks Tie the Knot in Arkansas Wedding - Just Jared Jr.

We are always on the lookout for great summertime events in the Southern Tier of New York State and Northeast Pennsylvania. We found one that is an event not to be missed.

The Special Olympics New York State Summer Games are about to begin. This year, the three day event begins on Thursday June 8th through Saturday June 10th with over 800 athletes and coaches from across the state, being held in Ithaca and Vestal.

According to Special Olympics New York, competition will be in the form of seven different sporting events includingbasketball, bowling, gymnastics, powerlifting, swimming, plus tennis and track & field.

The event will kick off Thursday featuring 'A Night of Champions' to honor local game changers and raise funds to support the games from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, in the large pavilion ofStewart Park located at 1 James L Gibbs Drive in Ithaca.

Friday will feature the opening ceremonies from7 to 8:15 pm at the Quad Field of Ithaca College,953 Danby Road in Ithaca (opening ceremonies.)

Saturday is the main event day featuring the seven sport competitions. The Special Olympics New York schedule for the day is listed below:

9 am to 2 pm Track & Field atIthaca High School, 1401 North Cayuga Street in Ithaca (may be moved indoors)

9 am to 4 pm - Basketball & Swimming at theIthaca College A&E Center, 953 Danby Road in Ithaca

2 to 4 pm Gymnastics at the Hill Center, Ithaca College, 953 Danby Road in Ithaca

9:00 am to 4 pm - Powerlifting at theIthaca College Fitness Center, 953 Danby Road in Ithaca

9:45 am to 3 pm - Tennis at theIthaca College Tennis Courts, 953 Danby Road in Ithaca (moved indoors)

10 am to 3 pm - Bowling atMidway Lanes, 213 North Jensen Road in Vestal

5:30 to 8:30 pm - Athlete Health Screeningsat the Campus Center ofIthaca College, 953 Danby Road in Ithaca

7 to 8:30 pm - Closing Ceremonies and Dance Party at the Campus Center ofIthaca College, 953 Danby Road in Ithaca

Home Featuring Amazing Amenities

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2023 NYS Special Olympics Games This Weekend In Ithaca And Vestal - wnbf.com

The summer games take place June 9-11 at Indiana State University and Rose Hulman.

David Paul, of Milan, competing in Powerlifting at the 2022 Summer Games. Photo provided.

Get ready to witness the extraordinary talents and unstoppable spirit of our local Special Olympics athletes as they gear up for the highly anticipated 53rd annual Summer Games of Special Olympics Indiana! With months of dedicated training and unwavering determination, the delegation from Special Olympics Indiana Ripley Ohio Dearborn Counties, consisting of 64 exceptional athletes, 12 Unified Partners, 14 passionate coaches, and 15 dedicated team members, is ready to take the stage.

Prepare for an electrifying experience from June 9th to 11th as over 2,000 athletes, including 179 Unified partners, 311 coaches, and 677 delegation members from all corners of the state, gather at the prestigious campuses of Indiana State University and Rose Hulman Institute of Technology. This remarkable event is set to showcase three days of intense competition, awe-inspiring achievements, heartwarming friendships, and joyous celebrations.

Embracing the theme "Everyday Champions," inspired by the remarkable film "The Best We've Got: The Carl Erskine Story," this year's Summer Games will honor the remarkable journey of Carl Erskine, who exemplifies what it means to be an everyday champion. Carl's profound impact goes far beyond his triumphs on the field, as he champions acceptance, leadership, and inclusion through his small, everyday actions within his community. Prepare to be inspired as Carl encourages everyone to follow his lead and make a difference.

In a true display of champion spirit, the Games will feature a wide range of Olympic-type sports, including bocce, bowling, cycling, powerlifting, swimming, track and field, and volleyball. Our local delegation is shining bright, with 5 awe-inspiring athletes competing in powerlifting, 9 remarkable swimmers, 11 incredible track and field athletes, 11 unstoppable volleyball players, and a staggering 40 exceptional bowlers ready to make their mark.

But the Summer Games go beyond the thrill of competition. Athletes will also have the opportunity to benefit from Special Olympics' Healthy Athletes program, which offers free screenings for eyes, hearing, and dental health. In an environment designed to provide comfort and support, these screenings aim to alleviate the anxiety and fear often experienced by individuals with intellectual disabilities during medical visits. Athletes requiring further care will be referred appropriately, and those in need of eyeglasses will even have the chance to receive a complimentary pair. Special Olympics' mission to enhance athletes' health and fitness ensures an all-encompassing experience that promotes overall well-being.

Prepare for an unforgettable Opening Ceremony on Friday night, where our delegation will shine proudly. Special Olympics athlete Charlie Wilson will kick off the festivities with a breathtaking rendition of the National Anthem, while Coach Tito Castillo will inspire all with the Coaches Oath. It's a moment that will fill the air with anticipation and excitement!

None of this would be possible without the tremendous support from our local community. Through year-round fundraising initiatives like the upcoming Fire Truck Pull in August and the incredible Knights of Columbus Summer Games Fund, we have successfully raised a staggering $13,640 to cover the cost of room and board, as well as games registration. A special thanks goes to the Knights of Columbus for their generous contribution of $7,344 from the Summer Games Fund.

Get ready to witness the thrill, the passion, and the incredible accomplishments of our local Special Olympics athletes as they embark on this unforgettable journey at the Summer Games. It's an event that will leave you inspired, uplifted, and filled with admiration for these everyday champions. Join us as we cheer them on, celebrate their triumphs, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

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Local Special Olympics Athletes Set to Ignite the Summer Games - Eagle 99.3 FM WSCH

The event will be held in Germany for the first time.

STILLWATER, Minn. Detective Matt O'Hara has been with the Washington County Sheriffs Office for 17 years.

He's currently assigned to the Coordinated Response Team, which includes the pairing of law enforcement with an embedded social worker to connect those experiencing mental health crises with critical services to reduce law enforcement contacts. As part of his role, he is a handler to therapy K9 "Rookie" who accompanies him on calls.

She responds with us, our embedded social worker, and the rest of our team," he said.

When hes not out in the community, he's taking on another initiative.

Well be carrying the flame of hope around Berlin, Brandenburg, and other parts of Germany," he said.

TheSpecial Olympics World Games are the world's largest inclusive sports event where thousands of athletes compete in 26 sports.

The games will be held from June 17 - 25, itll be the first time Germany will host the games.

To kick off the world summer games, much like the Olympics, there is a ceremonial torch run that takes place starting this week in Athens, Greece. This torch run follows the same principles that the Olympic torch follows, and it will be carried by law enforcement, or "guardians of the flame" from around the world.

It's very humbling and Im honored to be selected on behalf of MN and behalf of law enforcement torch runners," he said. "Being one of only 100 in the world selected and 40 in the US, that gives us an amazing opportunity to go Im looking forward to it.

O'Hara has been heavily involved with the Special Olympics for almost 20 years and is the incoming program director for the Minnesota Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, which is the largest grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics worldwide.

"My first law enforcement job, I was introduced in 2004," he said. "Since then, I participated every single year, have even been a torch runner or participated in different fundraisers.

While Ohara is looking forward to participating, hes also raising money to help support Special Olympic athletes and is just $1,000 short of his goal.

"All of the donations we collect can go right to the athletes in our community. When we are able to generate funds for special Olympic athletes, we know its all-encompassing for everyone we serve," he said.

Continuing a tradition for years to come.

I love giving back to our athletes and I will remain on the board and continue to do what I do throughout my career," he said.

He says the trip is expected to last 8 days and hell be flying out this Sunday.

To donate to Detective O'Hara's fundraiser, visit the link here.

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Washington Co. deputy to carry the torch in 2023 Special Olympic World Games - KARE11.com

The Olympics is arguably the most prestigious event in the world when it comes to sporting events. Yet, motorsports arent something that usually finds its way into the roster of sports that athletes compete for. But it wouldnt hurt to dream up what would happen if there were motorsports series included in the Olympics as well, motorsports like NASCAR.

Because recently, NBC tried exactly that. With the power of Chat GPT, they asked the tool to generate who would be the best candidates for a fictional NASCAR Olympic team for the 2024 games. The result may have surprised a few fans, who then expressed their feelings on social media.

Chat CPT had generated four names of drivers who would work as a 4 man relay team. The list included Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Blaney, and Kyle Larson. While fans did not object to having Blaney and Larson, they werent too pleased to have the seven-time Cup Series champion and the JGR driver on board.

After the NASCAR Olympic team was predicted, the fictional one, the fans made their intentions clear over social media, regarding the choice of Johnson and Hamlin. They even went on to suggest alternatives ranging from Kyle Busch to William Byron to complete the team.

One enthusiast voiced his opinion, stating, Not Hamlin. Another chimed in, asserting, Id replace J.J. with Kyle and Denny with a Willy B. A third supporter made a strong point, commenting, Remove Denny and you have a team. Adding to the diverse views, a different admirer proclaimed, Jimmy is washed. Replace with Kyle Busch and yes.

Loading embed tweet https://twitter.com/HMSCar5/status/1666618255677566978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Rounding out the conversation, a fifth enthusiast contributed his perspective, suggesting, Replace Johnson with Kyle Busch replace Blaney with Logano and you have a squad. Hell replace Denny with MTJ so they can win the championship.

There is no doubt both are supremely good drivers with one of them having 7 Cup championships to his name. Still, fans did not make him the popular choice for such a thing as an Olympics lineup. And the answer to why that wasnt the case may lie in how the two drivers have been performing lately.

Ever since Johnson rejoined the NASCAR grid this season, there had been a lot of hype surrounding the NASCAR icon. However, the expectations and hype fell short after taking a look at his performance on the racetrack. He wasnt the same JJ during his peak form a couple of years ago. Moreover, he also had not been able to perform well in most of the races this season as well.

Meanwhile, for Hamlin, well, he treads on a thin line between fans, mostly thanks to his personality. Either the fans like him or they absolutely do not. Hence, seeing their names on the list, made the fans suggest the exclusion of these two drivers.

Perhaps for the better, considering others like Busch would actually have a better chance at succeeding at a high-pressure task like racing in the Olympics.

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Missing the Captain Kyle Busch - Fans Demand Exclusion of Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson in NASCAR ... - The Sportsrush

Smoke from the Canadian wildfires have forced some changes, but Special Olympics Delaware said they will be lighting their torch and holding their Summer Games this weekend in Newark.

The two-day event gets underway Friday on the University of Delaware's campus, with the Opening Ceremony and torch lighting scheduled for 4:15 p.m. inside the Bob Carpenter Center.

Over 600 athletes and unified partners, including some from Virginia, will take part in six sports over the two days.

Ceding to the expected reduced air quality, some venues were switched to indoor options, with swimming moving from the University of Delaware's outdoor pool to the Carpenter Sports Building, while Tennis will be held at the Elkton Indoor Tennis Center.

Friday morning outdoor contests in Track & Field and Softball were postponed, but are still expected to be held on Friday afternoon and Saturday.

Updated schedules are available on the Special Olympics Delaware website.

The Olympic Village traditionally held in front of Delaware Stadium was cancelled, while the Family BBQ and Dance is still expected to be held, but a new location was pending as of Thursday night.

Over 170 coaches and 1,000 volunteers support the event, which is open and free to the public.

Regionally, Special Olympics Pennsylvania decided Thursday morning to cancel their three-day event in State College, Special Olympics Virginia is postponing all outdoor events, while Special Olympics New Jersey wrote on their Facebook page that they intend to hold their events as normal starting on Friday.

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Special Olympics Delaware moving forward with Summer Games ... - 1150AM/101.7FM WDEL