Special Olympians to qualify this weekend at Harlem High School

MACHESNEY PARK, Ill. (WTVO) — Hundreds of athletes will compete in the Special Olympics Spring Games and Soccer Qualifier at Harlem High School this weekend.

Volunteers are needed to award medals, assist on the track, help with events, and distribute lunches.

Anyone over 12 years old can volunteer between 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school, located at 1 Huskie Circle.

Over 780 athletes and coaches will participate in the event.

Organizers say the Special Olympics event is a great opportunity for the community to come together.

“They demonstrate courage. They are able to make friends. They are able to socialize. It is really just a fantastic event for them to be on the same playing field as their peers without intellectual disabilities,” said Special Olympics’ Region A Director of Sports, Trent Geiger.

Qualifying athletes will compete in the state Summer Games in June at Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal.

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