The 21st Annual Winter Games will be held in Austin January 31 - February 3, 2013.

Athletes from across Texas will compete in bowling, powerlifting, volleyball and table tennis.

We can't wait to see you there!

Winter Games Info

The Games Organizing Committee and staff of Special Olympics Texas hope that your entire delegation experiences the very best in hospitality, competition and services during the upcoming Winter Games. 

Please take some time to review the information below before you leave for the 2013 Winter Games. If you have any questions or problems, immediately contact the chapter headquarters at 800.876.5646 ext. 2943, rather than waiting until registration. 

We look forward to seeing you at the 2013 Winter Games.

Venues:

There are 7 venues for competitions, Athlete Village and Opening Ceremonies. Round Rock High School will be the venue also for Opening Ceremonies and Victory Dance.

Registration and Check-In Procedure

Registration will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2013 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Round Rock High School, and will resume immediately after Opening Ceremonies for one hour. Opening Ceremonies will take place from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Late registration will be held at Showplace Lanes on Friday, February 1, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Teams should check into their hotel prior to Winter Games registration. Each head of delegation must complete an off-campus hotel information form with the hotel name and cell phone numbers for the support personnel in their delegation (coaches, chaperones, etc.). This information is very important in the event of an emergency.

Before Leaving for the Winter Games

We urge each delegation, before leaving for the Games, to double-check for the following:

Required sports equipment and clothing
Parade wear and team banner or sign for Opening Ceremonies
Athlete medication as required and medical insurance information/forms
Copies of entry forms and housing forms
Alarm clocks
Warm clothing and rain gear

Each individual article of clothing, equipment, medication, etc. should be individually and clearly marked with the person’s first and last name and team name.

Every delegation volunteer must go through the volunteer registration process before arriving at the Games. That means every head of delegation, coach, chaperone, coaching staff member, bus driver, and Unified Sports® partner must have a current signed Class A Form on file in the chapter office, and must have completed General Orientation and Protective Behaviors. Every competing Unified Sports® partner must also have a current, signed Unified Sports® Partner Form on file in the chapter office.

What You Need To Bring

We would like each participant to bring only the essential clothing and supplies, which should include the following items:

Toothbrush and toothpaste
Soap and shampoo
Clean change of clothes for each day
Athletic shorts, jerseys, shoes or other appropriate sports attire
At least three pairs of sweat socks
Alarm clock
Combs, brushes, sleepwear and other needed personal items
Clothes hangers
Any needed medication
Water jugs and canteens
One nice outfit for the dance

Make sure the participants have their personal items clearly marked. Please be aware that athletes must wear the appropriate footwear and uniform/clothing as allowed by the National Governing Body, Special Olympics Rules and the Special Olympics Texas Information Guide. Competitors who violate this rule will be disqualified.

Competition General Information

Athletes may enter and compete in only one sport. Each sport has specific limits on the type and number of events that an athlete may enter.

Specific time schedules for each competition will be posted on our website by Wednesday, January 23. This will enable us to structure the schedules to the entries actually received. The sports schedules contained in this
handbook provide the projected start and finish time for each sport. All delegations should plan on being available for competition at these times – no exceptions.

Protests shall not be received or considered if they are based solely on a decision involving the accuracy or judgment on the part of an official. Protest forms must be completed and submitted within 30 minutes of the
event in question to the venue/sport director. Forms will be available onsite.

The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules and SOTX modifications found in the SIG or on official SMT memos shall govern all competition. National Governing Body (NGB) rules shall apply except for when they are
in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules and SOTX rules.

National Governing Bodies (NGB): Bowling – United States Bowling Congress; Powerlifting – International Powerlifting Federation; Volleyball – United
States Volleyball Association.

Unified Sports® Notes

Unified Sports® bowling doubles and teams, and powerlifting pairs require a dual-certified coach be present (even if competing) at competition and a second capable coaching staff member must be available to handle any protests or
competition-related issues while the Unified Sports® partner is competing. Unified Sports® volleyball requires a dual certified, non-playing bench coach at all matches. This Unified Sports® head coach is not permitted to play at any
time during a match.

Special Events Schedule

Wellness Park
Wellness Park is a Healthy Athletes event where athletes and Unified partners have an opportunity to receive free health screenings and services in a welcoming and fun environment. This year at Winter Games, health professionals and volunteers will join us and offer their services for our Opening Eyes, FUNfitness and Fit Feet disciplines. The screenings are tentatively scheduled to run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 1 and from 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 2 at the Norris Conference Center, 2525 West Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78757. The final schedule for Wellness Park will be available at registration on Thursday, January 31.

Athlete Village
To get the most out of Winter Games, you and your athletes should attend Athlete Village. There will be a variety of amusements, entertainment and exhibits located at the Norris Conference Center, 2525 West Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78757. Athlete Village will be open on Friday, February 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday, February 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We encourage all teams to visit Athlete Village and enjoy the festivities.

Opening Ceremonies
Opening Ceremonies will be held on Thursday, January 31 at 7:00 p.m. at Round Rock High School; please refer to the venue map for the exact location on campus. This venue is indoors. Entertainment will include music and ceremony such as the singing of the National Anthem and the lighting of the torch during the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Parade of Athletes
Delegations should arrive at Round Rock High School by no later than 6:15 p.m. The Parade of Athletes will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 31. Delegations will be guided to parking upon arrival and will be directed to the parade area at that time. Make sure that your team representatives are wearing their team colors and have their team banner with them. Any other information will be available at registration.

Victory Dance
The Victory Dance will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 2 at Round Rock High School. There will be an opportunity to purchase souvenirs, meet athletes, coaches and families from other parts of Texas, and, of course, DANCE.

Closing Ceremonies
The (symbolic) Closing Ceremonies for the 2013 Winter Games will occur at the Victory Dance on Saturday, February 2. Everyone is invited to attend. The program will consist of entertainment and music, including the departure of the Winter Games flame. Reminder: Competition will continue on Sunday.

Family Activities
The State Family Committee and Adult Outreach Committee will have booths at Athlete Village on Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. They will offer digital photos, photo buttons, snacks and family registration information. Additionally, the Adult Outreach Committee booth shall offer service information, computer stations, and experts on family/guardian planning will be on site to assist. There will also be State Family Committee and Adult Outreach Committee booths at Victory Dance on Saturday night.

Weather Contingency Plan
Weather in Texas is unpredictable. In the unfortunate event that we encounter inclement weather, the Games Organizing Committee and SOTX Director of Sports and Training will be the final authority regarding cancellation or postponement of any phase of the Winter Games. If weather does force any schedule adjustments for the Games or related special events, information concerning postponements or cancellations will be available on our website at www.specialolympicstexas.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsTX. To receive weather and other news and alerts during the Winter Games, text “WinterGames” to “888777.”