Special Olympics Goes Digital: 2020 Virtual Summer Games

For Special Olympians, the Games must go on! In opposition of cancellations brought on by COVID-19, some Special Olympics chapters are going digital with the first-ever Virtual Summer Games.

When the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially announced that Tokyo 2020 was at risk of being cancelled -- fans and Olympians were certainly disappointed. For Special Olympians, similar news was more than just disappointing -- the news was devastating. Mona Hjerpe, head coach of the Hutchinson, Minnesota Special Olympics chapter, explained the difficulty Special Olympians are facing. “...they miss the social aspect, just to be able to give each other a hug,” said Hjerpe.

In an effort to brighten the spirits of Special Olympians, the organization is going digital with the 2020 Virtual Summer Games. Participants who have been active in their chapter of Special Olympics throughout the past year are eligible -- and encouraged -- to take part in the Games. Athletes are welcome to submit their best results in basketball, gymnastics, track and field to the competition by May 18, 2020.

Competitions include:
Geannette Wittendorf - Special Olympics Ribbons
  • Recording number of layups out of 20
  • Best 100 meter dash time
And many more!

While it may not be quite what the Special Olympians were looking forward to, it’s nice to know that the Games will still go on!  It will be interesting to see if all chapters of the Special Olympics will follow suit with the 2020 Virtual Summer Games.

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