From PyeongChang to Seattle with Comcast Twenty-eighteen is an exciting year for elite athletes! We enjoyed the XXIII Olympic Winter Games in February and the PeyongChang 2018 Paralympics in March, and this summer, it will be time for our Special Olympics athletes to shine at the 2018 USA Games in Seattle, Washington! To celebrate the…
Category: Theme – Transforming Lives
World Games Athlete Gearing Up for Unified Relay Across America
Jacob McManus of Barrington began horseback riding at age 5. Now, 13 years later, Jacob will represent Illinois on Special Olympics USA and compete in equestrian at the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015. In addition to gearing up for the 2015 World Games, Jacob and his family will also be running in the…
Finally Seeing Double
Editor’s Note — Chris Kirsch of Shorewood, mother of athlete Rikki, was a finalist in the 2014 Share Your Story contest. This is her story: For years Rikki followed her twin sister, Holli. If Holli tried it, Rikki tried it. From dance to soccer to horseback riding and track… even yearbook classes in high school. Rikki…
Schaumburg Athlete Represents Region on Special Olympics Leadership Committee
By Matthew Williams, SOILL Athlete My name is Matthew Williams, I am 14 years old and I am Global Messenger from Schaumburg. I was selected to serve as a representative for the Great Lakes Region to the North America Athlete Leadership Steering committee. This committee met in Los Angeles, Calif., Feb. 15–17 as part of…
First Ever TRAIN Event Held in Illinois
What is TRAIN? Special Olympics Illinois (SOILL) held its first ever TRAIN (Testing Recreational Activities and Improving Nutrition) event on Tuesday, July 16, at Stevenson Elementary School in Elk Grove Village. TRAIN is a new program being launched by Special Olympics International (SOI) with the support of Finish Line. The TRAIN program is designed to…