47th Annual Special Olympics Texas Summer Games Return to Arlington May 26-29

47th Annual Special Olympics Texas Summer Games Return to Arlington May 26-29

More than 3,000 athletes from all across Texas will converge at UT-Arlington to compete in one of six sports during the organization’s largest event of the year.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : May 05, 2016

MEDIA CONTACT:
Steve Helm – Public Relations Coordinator, Special Olympics Texas
800.876.5646, ext. 2925 (office); 267.421.3911 (cell – media only); shelm@sotx.org

 

Schedule | Volunteer | Venues 

 


AUSTIN, Texas – Special Olympics Texas’ (SOTX) 47th annual Summer Games, presented by TD Ameritrade and the Knights of Columbus, will return to The University of Texas at Arlington and surrounding area venues from Thursday, May 26 – Sunday, May 29. The event is SOTX’s largest competition of the year, featuring more than 3,000 athletes from all around the state of Texas. 

Competitors will participate in one of six sports: Athletics (track & field), Basketball, Cycling, Gymnastics, Soccer or Tennis. They will be supported by nearly 400 coaches and 90 Unified partners (teammates without intellectual disabilities) 

It will take more than 3,750 volunteers to run the four-day statewide competition. They will serve in numerous capacities, including: as officials, scorekeepers, athlete escorts, award presenters and administrative support services. Volunteer opportunities are still available, especially for Track on Sunday morning (May 29) and at Tennis on Saturday morning (May 28). 

The weekend-long event also features special events such as: the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg and Press Conference, Opening Ceremony and Victory Dance. All events are free and open to the public. 

For a complete schedule of events and all information regarding the 2016 Summer Games, click here.

 

Number of Athlete by Sport (pre scratches)

Track & Field - 1,388

Basketball - 1,177

Soccer – 242

Tennis - 105

Cycling – 71

Gymnastics - 43

 

Athletes by Area

Abilene - 54

Amarillo - 21

Austin - 215

Beaumont - 17

Clear Lake -187    

Conroe – 91

Corpus Christi – 44

Dallas - 818

El Paso – 62

Fort Worth - 560

Houston - 314

Lubbock - 67

Lufkin - 75

Midland - 10

Rio Grande Valley - 217

San Antonio – 211

Waco – 76

Wichita Falls - 22 

 

 

 

Sponsors

About Special Olympics Texas
Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) is a privately funded non-profit organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect.  SOTX provides continuing opportunities for more than 58,800 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the Lone Star State to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship.  To learn more, visit www.specialolympicstexas.org or call 800.876.5646.  Engage with us on: Twitter @SOTexas; fb.com/SpecialOlympicsTX; youtube.com/specialolympicstexas.