Special Olympic sports

story/L.Fisher

If you have been looking to get involved with a school activity, here is a solution for you, be a peer partner, for special Olympic sports. As a peer partner, you get to spend time and help a special needs student by doing sports such as basketball and bowling. Here are three reasons why you should be a peer partner.

The Special Olympic sport in season right now Is basketball but that will soon be ending with soccer starting up. When competing there is an opportunity to go to the playoffs or a state meet. You get to play many different sports as a partner so there is an opportunity to learn a new sport. Most sports last 2 months but some can last as little as day just depending on the sport.

“I play basketball because it’s fun and I get to hang out and play with my friends,” Unified athlete Drew Coles said.

When being a partner you get to form a relationship that lasts outside of school.

“When a special Olympic partner pair sees each other in the halls at school or outside in the community, they have a connection still and they are able to be friends outside of the sport,” East High School PE teacher Erin Lowe said.

Why you should get involved and be a peer partner. When participating in a special Olympic sport you have lots of support from your peers and you can be in a fun and safe environment. When competing there is no stress or pressure, everyone’s just trying to better themselves. By being a partner, you have the opportunity to learn acceptance and inclusion with the end goal of equalizing special Olympic athletes and their partners.

If you’re wondering how to get involved there are often announcements or by checking snap connect. Often there are community events where things like best buddies are advertised, and you can sign up. Contacting Mrs. Lowe about being a partner in unified P.E. is also a good way to start and get involved.

“Special Olympics Unified Sports brings together athletes with intellectual disabilities and athletes without intellectual disabilities to train and compete on the same team,”Intellectual disability teacher David Praska said.

The Mid Iowa Winter tournament takes place in Iowa City, Iowa. March 11 and 12. Over 900 athletes across the state come to compete.

State bowling takes place in late November. During this event, state qualifiers from across Iowa come to compete.

In March, qualified unified basketball teams from all over the state come to compete. This takes place during the day and is a highlight for the whole team.