Summer Games News Releases
Country Superstar Collin Raye, Artist David Garibaldi Kick-off Special Olympics Summer Games at UC Berkeley
Local Law Enforcement Runs "Flame of Hope" Through Northern California
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| 13th year |
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| 5/63 |
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| 900 + |
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| 29 representing 32 Northern
California counties |
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| Fresno |
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| Humboldt County (290 miles) |
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| 300 + |
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| 1,300 + |
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| 8 |
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| 2,159 |
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| 500 + |
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| 738 |
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| 9,400 |
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| Comcast Sports Network |
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In 1995, the University of California at Berkeley hosted the first
Special Olympics Summer Games in Northern California. After two
years, the Games were relocated to Stockton while the aquatics,
sports complex and Haas Pavilion were renovated. Special Olympics
returned to UC in 2006 where our athletes enjoy competing in
state-of-the-art facilities at a top-notch university.
More than
900 athletes compete in five Olympic sports during the Summer
Games, including aquatics, bocce, tennis, track & field and
volleyball. Because of significant growth in our basketball and
softball programs, our athletes participate in separate championship
level play in late summer instead of the Summer Games. Northern
California is one of 52 Special Olympic programs that provides
a Summer Games competition for its athletes.
Words like, dignity, dedication and perseverance will take on
a whole new meaning as you watch the athletes of Special Olympics
Northern California compete at the Summer Games. Our athletes
may be diagnosed with having a developmental disability such as
Down Syndrome or Autism, but it certainly does not define who they
are. Come watch our athletes compete. It won't be long before
you notice their disabilities fade into the background, and you
share their joy in the competition, friendships and accomplishments.
Whether it be the 10-meter assisted walk or the pentathlon, each
athlete has risen to the challenge to be the best that they can
be. Come be inspired by the competition and realize the strength,
courage and tenacity of the human spirit.
Qualifying for the Games
About 900 of our 13,374 Northern California athletes will be participating
in the five sports featured at Summer Games in 2008. This is championship-level
play for aquatics, bocce, tennis, track & field and volleyball.
Many other Northern California athletes will participate and qualify
for similar championship-level play for basketball, softball, long
distance running/walking, power lifting, golf and bowling at other
times of the year.
To qualify for the Summer Games, athletes train for 6-8 weeks
in their sport and must participate in a regional competition which
takes place throughout Northern California in April and May. Each
area is given an allotment for Summer Games based on the number
of athletes they have in training. In cases where an area
has more athletes who qualify than they have allotments, a random
draw is held to select the athletes to participate in the Summer
Games.
Athletes are why we exist. Volunteers are how we exist. Our volunteers and
coaches come from all walks of life. Some have been around for years, coaching
our athletes and forming deep friendships. Others come out to help at a competition
as time and schedule permits. No matter what capacity they serve, volunteers
are the backbone of our program.
Currently more than 9,000 people in Northern
California have discovered the rewards of working with a Special Olympics athlete.
At Summer Games, more than 300 coaches will accompany our athletes and be with
them for the duration of the weekend. Another 1,300 individuals will come out to help at one of the five venues
hosting a competition.
Family Housing
Family Housing has been secured at the Double Tree Berkeley Marina
at a rate of $102.00 a night including breakfast. Families can make
their reservations by calling 510-548-7920 and say they are with
the Special Olympics group.
Family Reception
Families are invited to a Family Reception, 6-8:30 p.m., Saturday, June 7 at the Double Tree Hotel Marina in Berkeley. Only those families who have registrered in the Family Program may attend. You do not have to be staying at the Doubletree to attend the reception. Please return the Family
Reception RSVP form. Hors d’oeurves and refreshments will be served at the reception.
Family Program Registration
If your athlete is participating in Summer Games and you would
like to come to the Family Reception, but you are not a member
of our Family Program please click on the link below to register
and become a member of the Special Olympics Northern California
Family Program.
http://www.sonc.org/getinvolved/involved_family_registration.html
Only families who are part of the Family Program may attend the
Summer Games Family Reception.
Join The Family Challenge
The Family Giving Challenge, which ends June 15th, is a way for
families to give back to the wonderful organization that gives
so much to their athlete for free, all year round. The winning
family will receive a beautiful placque and be acknowledged in
the family newsletter, "The Family Times." To join
the family challenge and see how much you can raise in honor
of your athlete click on this link http://sonc.kintera.org/family.
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Spirit
of Special Olympics
