STEVENS POINT – “It’s the sense of accomplishment that’s the most meaningful,” said West Bend Special Olympics coach Mary Fiegel who has been leading teams across the country the last 36 years.

“The athletes try different things and they always try to improve. It’s great to see them accomplish their goals and giving them the opportunity to be all they can be.”

Fiegel is one of 500 coaches getting set to cheer her team at the Special Olympics Wisconsin State Summer Games being held at Colman Track on the campus of UW-Stevens Point.

EVENTS SCHEDULE….

Over the next three days more than 1,600 athletes will participate in an action-packed weekend of swimming, track and field, power lifting and soccer. Some of the track and field events include fast walking, the softball throw and the turbo javelin.

“When you come to a Special Olympics event you find pure uniqueness,” said organizer Kelly Kloepping. “Number one, the athletes are here to give it their all but what makes it unique is it’s really not about winning.”

Special Olympians abide by a basic athletes oath: Let me win, but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt.

“You see them trying so hard and it doesn’t matter if they cross the finish line last, you still see the excitement in their eyes; it’s just an attitude about life I wish we could all live by,” said Kloepping.

OPENING CEREMONIES…

This year opening ceremonies begin at 6:30 p.m. at Colman Track with a full parade featuring athletes competing in the Summer Games. “It’s actually the best event to come see are the opening ceremonies,” said Kloepping encouraging people to bring chairs and coolers and hangout for the two hour event.

Green Bay Packer linebacker AJ Hawk is the honorary spokesman and will be on hand to greet athletes along with the Klements Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages.

“Having AJ Hawk here along with the Racing Sausages is huge,” said Kloepping. Hawk had a family member who participated in Special Olympics. “He has a tie to the organization and when we gave him a call a couple years ago it became clear Special Olympics was a good cause.”

Competition begins at 8:30 a.m. Friday and at 8 a.m. Saturday as June 6 as volunteers escort athletes to designated fields and participate in award presentations.

When not competing, athletes can take part in games and entertainment at Victory Village, including arts and crafts, karaoke, a dunk tank, Klement’s Racing Sausages autograph session, stage performances and many other attractions.

Several of Special Olympics Wisconsin’s Corporate Partners will have booths set up in Victory Village to showcase their involvement with Special Olympics and provide free food and souvenirs. The Closing Ceremony will feature the theme of 2009 Space Odyssey.

SPECIAL SERVICES OFFERED..

Athletes will receive free on-site health care screenings at Wal-Mart Healthy Athletes tents. Volunteer dentists provided by Delta Dental will offer dental screenings and mouth guards for the athletes. 

Lions Club International sponsors Opening Eyes and will provide ophthalmologists and optometrists for athlete eye screenings.

The Health Promotions area will offer education on nutrition, smoking cessation and other great health tips for athletes. This area will also host nurses, doctors and dietitians to take athletes’ blood pressure, bone density, and height and weight.    

For more information, visit SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org. Special Olympics is an active partner with Preps On The Net as both organizations aim to promote the positive aspects of young adults.