University to Host Special Olympics Saturday

Posted  5/18/2005
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The Special Olympics returns to the University of Hartford on Saturday. Shown is a victorious participant from the 2004 games.
More than 1,200 athletes, together with families, coaches, and volunteers, will gather at the university and several other sites on Saturday, May 21, for the Special Olympics regional games.

The University of Hartford, in conjunction with Weaver High School and Watkinson School, is hosting the Special Olympics Connecticut Eastern Regional Games for the second year in a row.

Volunteers are still needed for a wide range of assignments. The deadline for pre-registering as a volunteer has passed, but walk-up volunteers are welcome. If you would like to volunteer on Saturday, you should plan to arrive at the university at 8:30 a.m., Weaver High School at 7:30 a.m., or Watkinson School at 8:30 a.m., and follow the signs to the “Volunteer Registration” tent.

Read more about how to volunteer.

The festivities will begin with an Opening Ceremony at the University of Hartford Sports Center, starting at 9 a.m. The Opening Ceremony will include the procession of athletes, the lighting of the Olympic flame, and a performance by the Bloomfield High School Concert Band, Jazz Band and the Bloomfield Brass.

The master of ceremonies will be NBC 30 meteorologist Garett Argianas.

Competition will start at approximately 10 a.m. Athletes will compete in aquatics, soccer, track and field, tennis, and wheelchair and adaptive sports.

The tennis and aquatics competitions will take place at the university. Weaver High School will host the track and field competitions, wheelchair and adaptive events, and Watkinson School will host the soccer competition.

The area behind the University of Hartford Sports Center will be transformed into an “Olympic Village,” featuring arts, crafts, music, and a variety of fun activities.

This event is the largest of the Special Olympics regional games in Connecticut, comprising athletes and teams from Hartford, Tolland, Windham, Middlesex, and New London counties.

For more information about the Special Olympics Connecticut Eastern Regional Games, go to www.hartford.edu/soct, or contact Fred Jenoure at 860.768.4894 or jenoure@hartford.edu.