SPECIAL OLYMPICS ARIZONA TO HOST 2021“VIRTUAL” SUMMER GAMES OPENING CEREMONY AND DANCE PARTY – FRIDAY, MAY 14

Summer Games Typically Hosts more than 1,000 athletes from across the state of Arizona

The 2021 Special Olympics Arizona Summer Games will go on, but due to COVID, the games will look a little different this year.

Things will kick off with Virtual Games Spirit Week (May 10-14), inviting athletes to engage online with activities like Virtual Game Day, Superhero Jeopardy, Fun Fitness Day, Country Bingo and Sports Fanatics Trivia. The Virtual Summer Games Opening Ceremony will take place on Friday, May 14 at 5 p.m., followed by one of the most popular events, the SOAZ Virtual Dance Party, which will take place at 6 p.m. following the Opening Ceremony. Both the Opening Ceremony and Dance Party can be viewed on YouTube and Zoom.

The Special Olympics Arizona Summer Games is one of the biggest events each year, typically hosting over a thousand SOAZ athletes from all across the state of Arizona. This year, athletes are encourage to still participate in their sports and send in videos to be posted on SOAZ’s social channels and website using #SOAZVirtualSummerGames2021.

“While we are disappointed we can’t host an in-person Summer Games, we are excited that we can still bring the Special Olympics Arizona community together to virtually host one of our biggest and most popular events,” said Jamie Heckerman, President and CEO of Special Olympics Arizona. “Our athletes have endured so much this year, but they have adapted like everyone else and we are extremely proud of them. This week and Friday is a way to celebrate, and we are looking forward to watching the athletes have some much deserved fun.”