Final Report from the Special Olympics WY Summer Games in Laramie

LARAMIE – Laramie welcomed the 2019 Special Olympics Wyoming Summer Game participants and their families the week of May 9 to 11, and Melissa Noah, Vice President of Development for the Special Olympics Wyoming, said the event was a great success.

“We had nearly 600 athletes. Our athletes are able to compete in more than one sport during the competition. Basketball and powerlifting were held on the first day, and then swimming and track were on the following days,” Noah said.

“The participation numbers for each sport were outstanding. For the Aquatics events, we had 187 athletes participate. Track and field had 300, basketball saw 428 athletes, and we had 25 for powerlifting,” said Noah. “We also had more than 100 coaches and over 60 unified partners.”

Noah said being a unified partner is a volunteer opportunity unlike any other.

“Special Olympics athletes with an intellectual disability, and unified sports partners, athletes without an intellectual disability, practice and compete on sports teams together.”

She said the venues were accommodating, and the personnel at each location were helpful and professional. Basketball events were held at Corbett Gym, the UW field house, and the Laramie Rec center, with Track and Field events at the old Deti Stadium. Swimming events were held at Laramie High School.

For more information on this and future Special Olympics events in Wyoming, and how to become a unified partner, contact Melissa Noah, Vice President of Development, Special Olympics Wyoming, at 239 W. 1st St., Casper, WY 82601; visit the web site, or call 307-235-3062 or 800-735-8345.