Special Olympics Illinois Steve Whitlatch, Assistant Director - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Special Olympics Illinois

Steve Whitlatch, Assistant Director – Sports Region J Tony Hill – Athlete, Global Messenger

Overview

• Sports for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
• Leadership Opportunities
• Social Programs and Opportunities
• Healthy Athletes
• Unified Programs and Sports
• Young Athletes

History

• First Games at Soldier Field in Chicago
• July 20, 1968
• 1,000 Athletes from the United States and Canada
• Our exceptional children (children with Intellectual Disabilities) can be

exceptional athletes.

• Eunice Kennedy Shriver – Pioneer for Special Olympics
• Opened the games with a message of hope
• LET ME WIN, BUT IF I CANNOT WIN LET ME BE BRAVE IN THE ATTEMPT

2018: 50th Anniversary

• There are now more than

4.8 million athletes in 172 countries worldwide

• Building an Inclusive World
• Unified Sports are bridging

the gap in society.

Region J Stars

Saneatha Gymnastics – Level 4

• 5 Gold Medals at USA Games 2018
• 1 Gold, 3 Bronze, 1- 4th Place Ribbon

at World Games Abu Dhabi and Dubai 2019

Region J Stars

Tony Hill

• Multi-sport Athlete
• Polar Plunge Participant
• Former International Board Member
• World Traveler
• Special Olympics Illinois Global

Messenger

• Fundraising Extraordinaire

Opportunities for You

• Become an Athlete
• 11 Regions throughout Illinois
• Host over 200 competitions each year – There’s something you can do
• Socializing with other athletes, form social groups, gain friends,
• Agencies host social activities away from sports
• Volunteer
• Each event needs volunteers to be successful
• Be a part of something meaningful
• Do something for someone who can never pay you back.

Questions?