Special Olympics: Team Illinois competes in Florida Summer Games

NORMAL, Sick. (WMBD) — Greater than 100 Staff Illinois athletes made the lengthy journey to Orlando, Florida.

The Illinois Particular Olympics workforce headed to the Particular Olympics USA Video games in Florida Friday afternoon.

The occasion occurs as soon as each 4 years. The Particular Olympics Illinois senior area director, Tracy Hilliard, mentioned they’re returning in particular person for the primary time in two years.

“Bouncing again from COVID-19, everyone seems to be so excited to have an occasion of this dimension. It’s very thrilling,” mentioned Hilliard.

The Regular Police Division supplied an escort for lots of the athletes as they left for Orlando.

Nonetheless, Hilliard mentioned that is simply the tip of the iceberg for Staff Illinois. In two weeks, Particular Olympics Illinois is internet hosting its State Summer time Video games 2022. The occasion returns in particular person for the primary time in two years.

“Everybody’s able to be again in particular person,” Hilliard mentioned. “It’s such an uplift for everyone, and that increase you should get going once more.”

She mentioned greater than 2,600 athletes will compete in seven sports activities on Illinois State College’s (ISU) campus and at Regular Group Excessive and Kingsley Junior Excessive.

Brian McWhorter, a powerlifter within the group, mentioned the occasion is a dream come true.

“It means the world to me, I’ve been coaching for this beautiful a lot all my life,” mentioned McWhorter.

The Particular Olympics has helped McWhorter in additional methods than one.

“It’s modified my life fully,” he mentioned, “to be a greater competitor.”

ISU is residence to the Summer time Video games because the Nineteen Seventies, in keeping with Media Relations Director Eric Jome. It’s at all times a crowd-pleaser, he mentioned, and a heartfelt custom that attracts a giant crowd.

“It’s actually a transformational occasion for lots of those athletes, and actually for lots of the those who volunteer for this,” Jome mentioned.