Over a thousand Special Olympics Maryland athletes from all over the state will compete in the summer games this weekend. The fun kicks off Wednesday night with the “Brave in the Attempt Talks,” where athletes tell their personal stories in a TED Talk style. Events continue throughout the week, with opening ceremonies Friday night and sports throughout the weekend. Annu Singleton loves the feeling of having a gold medal around his neck. He’s racked up a few medals in his 18 years of competing in the summer games. This weekend he hopes to add another medal to his collection. “My goal for this weekend is to go out there and try my best to get gold in my bocce events,” Singleton said. Since Singleton joined Special Olympics Maryland in 2005, he has never missed the summer games. He has done almost every sport, including bocce, swimming, cheerleading, and track. “It wouldn’t be summer games if I’m not in it,” Singleton said. This year Singleton is one of 1,200 athletes who will compete in the games at Towson University. Participation is up 45 percent from last year as athletes continue to return after the pandemic paused the games in 2020. “Our athletes over the last year have really started to come back. They obviously love competing,” said Jim Schmutz, CEO of Special Olympics Maryland. “What you see here is the purest version of sport that there is. Our athletes aren’t pursuing big checks. They are not pursuing scholarships. They are here for the joy of sport and everything that is embodied in that experience.”Schmutz said building an inclusive community where everyone can compete is what the summer games are all about. Even though Singleton would like to win another medal, he knows the joy of playing the games and getting the chance to compete makes everyone a winner. “Even if I don’t get first place, I still want to go out as best I can as a competitive athlete. That’s all that matters to me and to my fellow athletes.”You can support the summer games by showing up and cheering on the athletes. The schedule is as follows: Friday, June 23 (10 a.m. – 9 p.m.) Cheerleading Swimming Block Party Opening Ceremonies Saturday, June 24 (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)Athletics Bocce Softball Swimming Healthy Athletes Sunday, June 25 (8 a.m. – 3 p.m.) Athletics Bocce Softball Swimming Softball events will be held at Kiwanis Wallas Park at 3300 Norberts Way in Ellicott City. People can also sign up to volunteer at the following website.
Over a thousand Special Olympics Maryland athletes from all over the state will compete in the summer games this weekend.
The fun kicks off Wednesday night with the “Brave in the Attempt Talks,” where athletes tell their personal stories in a TED Talk style. Events continue throughout the week, with opening ceremonies Friday night and sports throughout the weekend.
Annu Singleton loves the feeling of having a gold medal around his neck. He’s racked up a few medals in his 18 years of competing in the summer games. This weekend he hopes to add another medal to his collection.
“My goal for this weekend is to go out there and try my best to get gold in my bocce events,” Singleton said.
Since Singleton joined Special Olympics Maryland in 2005, he has never missed the summer games. He has done almost every sport, including bocce, swimming, cheerleading, and track.
“It wouldn’t be summer games if I’m not in it,” Singleton said.
This year Singleton is one of 1,200 athletes who will compete in the games at Towson University. Participation is up 45 percent from last year as athletes continue to return after the pandemic paused the games in 2020.
“Our athletes over the last year have really started to come back. They obviously love competing,” said Jim Schmutz, CEO of Special Olympics Maryland. “What you see here is the purest version of sport that there is. Our athletes aren’t pursuing big checks. They are not pursuing scholarships. They are here for the joy of sport and everything that is embodied in that experience.”
Schmutz said building an inclusive community where everyone can compete is what the summer games are all about. Even though Singleton would like to win another medal, he knows the joy of playing the games and getting the chance to compete makes everyone a winner.
“Even if I don’t get first place, I still want to go out as best I can as a competitive athlete. That’s all that matters to me and to my fellow athletes.”
You can support the summer games by showing up and cheering on the athletes. The schedule is as follows:
Friday, June 23 (10 a.m. – 9 p.m.)
- Cheerleading
- Swimming
- Block Party
- Opening Ceremonies
Saturday, June 24 (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Athletics
- Bocce
- Softball
- Swimming
- Healthy Athletes
Sunday, June 25 (8 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
- Athletics
- Bocce
- Softball
- Swimming
Softball events will be held at Kiwanis Wallas Park at 3300 Norberts Way in Ellicott City. People can also sign up to volunteer at the following website.