SPECIAL OLYMPICS ARIZONA ATHLETES, PARTNERS AND COACHES GEARING UP FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES ORLANDO 2022

USA GAMES WILL FEATURE MORE THAN 5,500 ATHLETES AND COACHES FROM ALL 50 STATES AND THE CARIBBEAN

Special Olympics Arizona will be represented by more than 115 athletes, partners and coaches at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, which will be held June 5-12 in Orlando, Fla.  This year the USA Games will showcase more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from throughout the country competing in front of more than 125,000 spectators and supporters at one of the country’s most cherished sporting events.

SOAZ will be represented in 10 sports – Athletics, Basketball (Unified), Bocce, Cheer, Flag Football, Golf, Powerlifting, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Swimming and Volleyball.  For a complete list of all sports and athletes who will be competing in Orlando visit https://specialolympicsarizona.org/sports-competitions/usa-games/.

Additionally, the Arizona delegation will include one athlete serving as a Health Messenger to encourage Team Arizona athletes to attend Healthy Athletes programming during the games, one coach and one Unified pair (1 athlete and 1 partner) will be participating in the Youth Leadership Experience, and one Unified pair from Cortez High School will serve as Special Olympics North America Youth Ambassadors.

“We are so proud of all of our athletes, partners and coaches who will be representing the state of Arizona at the 2022 USA Games,” said Jamie Heckerman, President and CEO of Special Olympics Arizona.  “This is a great stage to not only showcase competition and athletics, but to celebrate all of the dedication and perseverance these athletes display in everyday life.  We wish them the best of luck and want them to know that everyone in Arizona is rooting for them.”

Each athlete and coach participating in the 2022 USA Games had to fundraise a minimum of $1,500, with most raising funds through the support of their school and community.

SOAZ is hosting a special send-off party on June 3 (6 -7:30 p.m.) at the Radisson Hotel Phoenix Airport where community members and supporters can cheer on and celebrate the athletes prior to their departure to Florida on June 4.

Hosted every four years, the USA Games showcase 19 Olympic-style team and individual sports and 30 events during the week, including forums and VIP receptions.  For more information visit www.2022usagames.org.