WHAT: 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games
WHEN: July 18 – 23, 2010
Cessna Citation Special Olympics Airlift Athlete Arrival: July 17, 2010
Opening Ceremony: July 18, 2010
Closing Ceremony: July 23, 2010
Cessna Citation Special Olympics Airlift Departure: July 24, 2010
WHO: 2,800 athletes from 48 states and D.C.
1,000 coaches and official delegates
15,000 athletes’ family members and friends
8,500 volunteers
30,000 estimated spectators
WHERE: The Games and competition will be based around the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Lincoln community
SPORTS: Competition will include:
Athletics (Track & Field) Gymnastics (Rhythmic)
Aquatics (Swimming) Powerlifting
Basketball Softball
Bocce Soccer
Bowling Tennis
Flag Football Volleyball
Golf
PROGRAMMING: Educational seminars will be offered to athletes and their families. Additional programming will be aimed to increase public knowledge and understanding of the capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities.
EXHIBITS: Major sponsors and area businesses will host a Festival Area filled with information and activities for Games attendees.
VOLUNTEERS: Over 8,500 individuals are assisting with the competition and signature events.
Major Events:
Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run
Police officers and Special Olympics athletes run with the “Flame of Hope” to the Opening Ceremony of the Games. The law enforcement community has been large part of the Special Olympics since 1981, when the first Law Enforcement Torch Run took place. To date it is the organization’s largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle.
Cessna Citation Special Olympics Airlift
The largest peace time airlift will bring almost 2,000 athletes to and from the Games on July 17 and July 24. Planes will take off and land every 60-90 seconds for a 9-hour period. This year the Honorary Chairman of the Games is Harrison Ford.
Special Olympics Town
Special Olympics Town will feature Fan Fest and the Special Olympics Sports Experience, both of which give the public the chance to interact with athletes in both a social and sports-oriented setting. Fan Fest takes place outside of Pershing Auditorium and includes sponsor and vendor booths. Sports Experience gives the public a chance to compete against or alongside the Special Olympics athletes in various games. The focus of Special Olympics Town is to provide a place for people with and without intellectual disabilities.
Healthy Athletes
Healthy Athletes provides the opportunity for the athletes to gain free health screenings. Located in the basement of Pershing Auditorium, athletes will receive basic health necessities (glasses, dental care, foot care, etc.) and referrals to specialists in their hometown area.
Youth Activation Summit (Omaha)
The 2010 National Youth Activation Summit (YAS), which will take place from July 18-24 at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, will have over 200 youth with and without intellectual disabilities from all 50 states and the District of Columbia in youth-led interactive sessions focusing on: Special Olympics as a movement for change and inclusion, youth leadership, social justice and advocacy, sports as a platform for attitude change, inclusion of all abilities, and local, state, and national strategies for youth engagement and activation.
National Education Conference (Omaha)
From July 18-21, in collaboration with the University of Nebraska-Omaha,
Special Olympics Project UNIFY will be hosting an Education Conference
for Special Education, General Education, and Pre-Service teachers.
The 2010 NEC provides a unique opportunity to engage educators while increasing and advancing their knowledge and skills to motivate, educate and activate students with and without intellectual disabilities.
Health Symposium (Omaha)
From difficulty obtaining health insurance, to a lack of training for healthcare professionals on their specific needs, to a simple lack of compassion for their health concerns, people with intellectual disabilities face enormous health obstacles. The Health Symposium will examine the state of healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities -- past, present and future. The event is free, and will offer presentations, an update on the groundbreaking Special Olympics Athlete Personal Health Interactive Record and a two-act play that will dramatically illustrate the inadequacy of medical services availabletopeople with intellectual disabilities.
6/10/2010