SPECIAL OLYMPICS ARIZONA TO HOST 2024 STATE SUMMER GAMES PRESENTED BY SPARKLIGHT, APRIL 25-27 AT KELLIS HIGH SCHOOL

MORE THAN 1,500 ATHLETES FROM ACROSS THE STATE WILL COMPETE IN TRACK/FIELD, VOLLEYBALL AND POWERLIFTING

Special Olympics Arizona’s State Summer Games competition is set to get to action Thursday, April 25 – Saturday, April 27 at Kellis High School in Glendale.  Summer Games presented by Sparklight is SOAZ’s biggest competition of the year and will feature more than 1,500 athletes statewide celebrating Inclusion and showcasing their skills in track and field, volleyball and powerlifting.

The three-day competition schedule includes Track and Field events on Thursday, April 25 (6 – 10 p.m.), Track and Field (8 a.m. – 3 p.m.) and Powerlifting (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.) competitions on Friday, April 26, with Track and Field (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.) events on Saturday, April 27.

Volleyball competitions will take place on Friday, April 26 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and will be held at a separate location, the American Sports Center, in Avondale.

The 2024 Summer Games will feature SOAZ’s traditional opening ceremony that will include the parade of athletes, ceremonial torch lighting, and the fan favorite athlete dance at the Kellis High School football field.

Throughout the weekend of competition, Special Olympics Arizona’s Healthy Athletes program will provide complimentary medical screenings and education to athletes in sports psychology, sports physicals, podiatry, physical therapy, optometry, dentistry, and audiology.  Presented by Mercy Care, Healthy Athletes will take place at Kellis High School on Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The Friday programming schedule will include Strong Minds, MedFest, Sun Safety, Healthy Relationships, Athlete Leadership, Esports, and Sensory Station.

Saturday’s schedule includes Healthy Hearing, Special Smiles (Presented by Delta Dental), FUNFitness, Fit Feet, Athlete Leadership, Esports, Sensory Station, and Opening Eyes.

Back at the Summer Games for the first time since 2019, Opening Eyes will be providing full eye screenings and vision exams, and will be handing out free glasses to athletes who need them.

SOAZ merchandise also will be available for purchase from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help support SOAZ athletes.

Special Olympics Arizona would like to thank Sparklight, The Thunderbirds and Thunderbirds Charities, American Express, the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Global Credit Union, Fry’s Food Stores and all of our supporting sponsors for their continued support of SOAZ and for helping to make the 2024 Summer Games happen.

For more information on the 2024 Special Olympics Arizona Summer Games and for a list of competition times and locations, visit https://specialolympicsarizona.org/events/summergames/.