Summer Games

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What Is Summer Games?

Summer Games is one of 13 state sports competitions. It is the championship-level competition for athletics, bocce, Unified bocce, powerlifting, soccer, swimming, artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics. In addition, the Young Athletes programming for kids ages 2-7 years old.

Summer Games is a three-day event held June 9-11 in Bloomington-Normal. Summer Games includes more than 3,000 athletes, 1,000 coaches, and approximately 43 Unified partners.

Additional activities include Opening Ceremony featuring the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg; a variety of Healthy Athlete initiatives; Families registration and activity opportunities, Olympic Town with a variety of interactive activities; souvenir sales; and a Victory Dance held in Uptown Normal.

Illinois State University has been the primary host venue since 1977 and, as the event has grown, additional venues include Kingsley Junior High School and Normal Community High School.

Athletics and swimming became official Special Olympics Illinois sports in 1968, artistic gymnastics in 1975, soccer in 1977, powerlifting in 1986, rhythmic gymnastics in 1996, bocce in 1997 and Unified bocce in 2002.

Spectators are encouraged to attend this premiere state tournament to cheer on these extraordinary athletes.

Competition Information

Competition will be offered in athletics, bocce, Unified bocce, gymnastics, soccer, powerlifting and swimming. Athletes cannot participate in more than one sport. Athletes registered in bocce may only compete in traditional bocce or Unified bocce (not both) and athletes registered for gymnastics may only compete in artistic or rhythmic (not both).

All times listed below are tentative and subject to change once event specific schedules are determined. Times only reflect actual competition times and do not include time frames for coach meetings, weigh-in times, etc. For a final schedule, please check the supporting documents section below.

Competition Schedule:

Artistic Gymnastics

• Friday, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Athletics

• Friday, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Bocce

• Friday, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Powerlifting

Rhythmic Gymnastics

• Saturday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Sunday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Soccer

• Friday, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Swimming

• Saturday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Sunday, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Young Athletes Statewide Culminating Event
This free event takes place on Friday, June 9 at Hancock Stadium and is open to all Young Athletes ages 2-7 years with and without intellectual disability. Register by Friday, June 2 here.

Registration and Lunch

• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Young Athletes Statewide Culminating Event

• 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Pizza Party

• 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Facility Information

Illinois State University (ISU) is the host for athletics, bocce, artistic gymnastics, and soccer. Normal Community High School is the host for rhythmic gymnastics and swimming. Kingsley Junior High School hosts powerlifting.

• Kingsley Junior High
  • Powerlifting
• ISU Intramural Fields
  • Soccer
• Illinois State University
  • Artistic gymnastics (Horton Field House)
  • Bocce (ISU Duffy Bass Field)
  • Softball throw (Adelaide Street Field)
  • Tennis ball throw and mini javelin (ISU Hancock Stadium)
  • Track events (ISU track)
  • Tournament Central (ISU Horton Field House)
• Normal Community High School
  • Rhythmic gymnastics
  • Swimming
• Redbird Arena
  • Healthy Athletes

Parking

Everyone must obey parking regulations since summer school will be in session at ISU and employees will be reporting to work. Approved parking lots are shown below:

• No parking in lots designated for faculty and staff (identified by red signs) except for Lots M83, U83 and F83S.
• No parking in spaces marked “Reserved.”
• Car parking will be allowed in Lots F62, F64, G24, G53, G73, G81, G83, G86, G87, G91, and S67.
• If you park at a meter, you must feed it.
• Cars parked in lots not approved for Special Olympics Illinois may be ticketed. Tickets will be the responsibility of the owner. Be aware that ISU may tow illegally parked cars.
• Parking will also be available at Chiddix Junior High School, Normal Community High School and the ISU intramural soccer fields.
• Special Olympics Illinois will operate a park and ride shuttle from Fairview Aquatics Park, 800 N. Main Street in Normal.
  • Hours of operation: 
    Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Saturday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Healthy Athletes

The Healthy Athletes program offers health services, screening and information to athletes, families and coaches in need. Participants are encouraged to attend this Free event located in Redbird Area on the lower level concourse.

Entrance

• Please enter Redbird Arena from the northeastern descending ramp into the lower concourse of the arena. The ramp is located off the Turner parking lot (Olympic Town).

Special Smiles         

• Friday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• The Special Smiles discipline of Healthy Athletes provides comprehensive oral health care information, including free dental screenings and instructions on correct brushing and flossing techniques.

Healthy Hearing

• Friday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• The Healthy Hearing program provides free ear and hearing screenings designed to ensure proper audiology care for athletes.

Opening Eyes

• Friday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• The Opening Eyes program is a vision and eye health screening in partnership with the Lions Clubs International Foundation. Led by volunteer vision care professionals, Opening Eyes offers prescription eyewear, sunglasses and sports goggles to athletes.

Hydration Station

• Friday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• Our Healthy Habit Hydration Station will be located at the top of the Redbird Ramp. Stop by to refill your water, get an electrolyte mix-in and learn some tips on how to best stay hydrated for competition and summer weather.

Fun Fitness

•   Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• The Fun Fitness discipline of Healthy Athletes provides free screenings to measure athletes’ flexibility, strength, balance and aerobic fitness.

Opening Ceremony

Opening Ceremony is scheduled for 8:00 PM on Friday, June 9, at Hancock Stadium and will include the Parade of Athletes, National Anthem, Athlete Oath, a fireworks display and lighting of the Flame of Hope.

• Athletes and coaches should wear uniforms.
• At 7:00 PM on Friday, agencies can begin assembling in Hancock Stadium. Seating will be assigned by region in the stands. No seating on the turf is allowed. Volunteers will be in the seating areas with region signs to help guide you to your seats. Wheelchairs and escorts will be seated in the east bleachers in the handicap accessible seating.
• Please see the flyer in the coach’s packet for specific information about athletes participating in the parade and their assigned seating in the stands. It will be limited to FOUR total participants. Volunteers will assist agencies with the staging arrangements.
• There will be a “quiet” fireworks display at the end of Opening Ceremony. All fireworks that create a loud “boom” have been removed, however some aerial fireworks, the shells when they are fired and when they break open will produce noise. An announcement will be made to allow time for those who want to leave before the fireworks display begins.

Souvenirs

Minerva Promotions is selling souvenirs at ISU in the North Gym from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM on both Friday and Saturday. If you want anything customized then you must pre-order. No customization will be done on-site at the event. June 1 is the pre-order deadline. Cash and most major credit cards are accepted.  CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. A percentage of sales are given to Special Olympics Illinois.

You can save time and pre-order items and pick them up on site. Pre-order deadline is June 1. Click here to connect to Summer Games merchandise options.

Special Olympics Illinois will also offer Law Enforcement Torch Run and Respect merchandise and sale items at the North Gym venue. The Special Olympics Illinois merchandise area will have a separate line and items must be paid for separately from Minerva merchandise. Special Olympics Illinois accepts cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card and American Express. 

$5 Mystery Bags will be for sale in the North Gym location. Each bag contains at least $20 of merchandise. Bags are offered by size and a few contain some surprise gift cards.

Families

Families are an integral part of Special Olympics Illinois and of the Summer Games. These proud supporters are seen in the stands, on the sidelines, serving as games committee and coaches. Regardless of your role, families are welcomed and celebrated for your support and enthusiasm for the athletes and Special Olympics Illinois.

Families attending the Summer Games should make their first stop at the Families registration and information area at either ISU or Normal Community High School to pick up your games guide, free Families Tailgate Picnic tickets and welcome gift. There are a lot of other things to see here too, including a free raffle for some cool Special Olympics Illinois gear, event flyers, and of course info to help you navigate and fully experience Summer Games.

The Families registration and information area is located in the lower northeast corner of Horton Field House and at Normal Community High School.

Horton Field House

• Friday, June 9 from 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM.
• Saturday, June 10 from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Normal Community High School

• Saturday, June 10 from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Tailgate Picnic

• Saturday, 10:30 AM-2:00 PM
• Meet Treasurer Michael Frerichs
• IL ABLE Q&A
• Outside of South Entrance of Horton Fieldhouse

Victory Dance

The Victory Dance will be held in Uptown Normal from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM on Saturday. The dance gives athletes a chance to celebrate their accomplishments and to socialize with others from around the state in addition to members of the community. Old friends will catch up and new friends will be made. The smiles and joy of the athletes are a testament to how Special Olympics Illinois helps transform lives.

Other Activities

• Hospitality Area
• Law Enforcement Torch Run – Torch Run Central will serve as a resource center during this year’s events and will coordinate all law enforcement activities including awarding medals. The tent is located in Olympic Town and is open from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM on Saturday.
• Olympic Town – Located on the Turner Hall parking lot, Olympic Town provides numerous activities, displays, entertainment, and athlete vendor tables, more. It is open from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM on Saturday.
  • Olympic Town Fun Flyer!
• Special Activities – Several other opportunities are underway, including potentially the Fairview Park Pool & Waterslide and Miller Park Zoo. Check back closer to Summer Games and look for flyers in your registration packet.

Concessions

Identified meals are provided for athletes, Unified partners and coaches registered to stay in provided housing. ISU and Normal Community High School will offer concession sales for spectators.

Awards

Awards will be given when each division is complete.

Text Alerts and Event Status Updates

Please sign up for the text alert system. This alert system will send you any last minute changes to the Summer Games schedule, reminders for upcoming events, and other pertinent event information.

To register, please text Summer to 844-393-0980.

Supporting Documents

2023 Summer Games Event Schedule

2023 ISU Menu

2023 Summer Games Souvenir Information

2023 Healthy Athletes Information

2023 Summer Games Event Handbook

2023 Summer Games Event Handbook Memo

2023 Schedule, Housing and Dining Memo

2023 Summer Games Delegation List

2023 Summer Games Venue Map & Shuttle Bus Route

2023 Hotel List

2023 Families Information

Summer Games Event Conflict Form

Courage and Grace Pre-order Flyer

33rd Annual Family Tailgate Picnic Flyer

To see a complete list of all state tournaments, click here.

To find out more information about the Knights of Columbus, which supports Special Olympics Illinois throughout the year, click here.

Who We Are

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit sports organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports to a community of more than 55,000 traditional athletes, Young Athletes, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, and more. It strives to be a global leader in shaping a culture where people with and without intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into the community by providing year-round opportunities in competitive sports, health education, leadership and personal development.