Peoria Times
14 SPORTS
October 21, 2021
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Special Olympians compete in Goodyear, Peoria BY TYLER BUDGE
Peoria Times Staff Writer
Special Olympics Arizona will host one of its biggest competitions of the year, featuring more than 1,000 athletes vying for the top spot in swimming, softball and bocce. Presented by Casino Arizona, the 2021 Fall Games is Oct. 22 and Oct. 23. It will be the first competition hosted by Special Olympics Arizona in nearly two years. “We tried to do virtual programming for athletes, and for a variety of reasons, it just didn’t quite work out,” said Jamie Heckerman, president and chief executive officer of Special Olympics Arizona. “Our athletes get to come back and share their talents and see their friends again that they haven’t been able to see.” During the weekend, the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program will provide athletes with complimentary medical exams, including Fit Feet, Fun Fitness and the Special Smiles program.
This fall’s Special Olympics empowers its athletes to perform well in the areas of bocce ball, softball and swimming. (Photos courtesy of the Special Olympics)
“It’s in an environment that’s not so scary,” Heckerman said. “A lot of our athletes have medical conditions that require them to spend a lot of time in the hospital or doctor’s offices and getting poked and prodded. When they’re out at games and there are no white coats and no sterile environments, it’s a lot more interactive.
They feel like they’re able to open up.” Special Olympics Arizona offers 21 sports and hosts more than 300 events a year with the goal of empowering children and adults with intellectual disabilities to live healthy, meaningful and fulfilling lives.
“It’s just a lot of fun. There is a lot of joy, but it’s also a lot of hard work,” Heckerman said. “Our athletes work SEE OLYMPICS PAGE 15
