Recap: Summer Games 2014
By
Special Olympics Texas
Well, the 2014 Summer Games is in the book! It was a great weekend…the weather was wonderful and any rain held off until the evening.
It's hard to believe that we just completed the 45th edition of the Summer Games. We went from 350 athletes in Waco in 1969 to approximately 3,000 athletes here in Arlington this weekend.
That increase is a testament to the hard work of thousands of volunteers and coaches over the years who have helped SOTX staff to put on a quality event that keeps on improving each year. Working together, we have built something enduring and beautiful for thousands of individuals with intellectual disabilities. We appreciate your hard work. Thank you--now on to the next 45 years!
This weekend was jam-packed with action:
Thursday:
- ​Qualifications for Tennis and Basketball.
Friday:
- ​All sports began competition.
- The Law Enforcement Torch Run delivered the five torches to Maverick Stadium in the morning.
- Athlete Village opened.
- Wellness Park opened. Healthy Young Athletes (ages 2-7) participated in Healthy Athletes for the first time.
- Former Dallas Cowboy Preston Pearson declared the games open.
Saturday:
- ​All sports continued competition.
- Athlete Village continued operation.
- Wellness Park remained open.
- The Victory Dance featured ​a Hawaiian theme. We said "Aloha" until next year.
Sunday:
- ​Final day of competition in basketball and track. The basketball games were hard fought and reminiscent of the NBA Finals. The relays were exciting and the distance events were inspiring.
We can't wait for 2015. See you next year!
