MT PLEASANT, Mich. — Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) is celebrating a historic milestone next week at the State Summer Games in Mt. Pleasant.
The organization is celebrating 50 years of the summer games on the campus of Central Michigan University May 30 through June 1.
More than 2,500 athletes from around Michigan will compete in 90 events. Some of the 2024 State Summer Games events include: Athletics, bocce ball, bowling, gymnastics, horseshoes, swimming, powerlifting and volleyball.
The State Summer Games began in 1972 and is now SOMI's largest annual event.
“The energy and enthusiasm of SOMI’s State Summer Games would not be possible without the hospitality of our friends at Central Michigan University,” said Tim Hileman, president and CEO of Special Olympics Michigan. “In addition to three days of competition, our friends at CMU help us showcase the power of inclusion by allowing us to take over campus for a few days. The history of the partnership is recognized and celebrated statewide.”
The games kick off on Thursday, May 30 with the Opening Ceremony, hosted by 13 ON YOUR SIDE's Juliet Dragos.
The "Flame of Hope"—which is the symbol of the start of the Summer Games—will be lit at 7 p.m. at Kelly/Shorts Stadium after being carried by the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a grassroots fundraising organization that contributes more than $2 million annually to SOMI, allowing athletes to travel and participate in the games without cost to them.
On Thursday, nearly 350 athletes will participate in a Unified competition to celebrate how sports can bring "athletes with and without intellectual disabilities together on the same team."
The traditional sports competitions will take place on Friday and Saturday.
Athletes will also have the opportunity to take part in free vision, hearing, dental and health screenings as part of SOMI's Healthy Athletes program.
You can check out the full schedule of events here.
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