2016 Special Olympics State Summer Games

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Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives will be Platinum Sponsors of the 2016 Special Olympics State Summer Games that will feature athletes from across the state this weekend at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond. The public is invited to come out and support the families.

Competitions will take place June 3-5 in track and field, swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, bocce and flag football. Many athletes will compete from early Saturday to late in the day. When athletes are finished competing or waiting to compete, they have the opportunity to visit Olympic Town, an area where athletes, coaches, family members and event volunteers can go to relax and enjoy musical entertainment and interactive games. Olympic Town also includes sports clinics, bingo, food, Special Smiles and Opening Eyes Healthy Athlete Programs.

“The motto of Special Olympic athletes is, ‘Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt,’” said Joe Settles, Manager of Member Services at East Kentucky Power Cooperative in Winchester. “The courage of these athletes inspires us to do our best no matter what challenges we face. We encourage everyone to support them in their efforts.”

One of every six families in Kentucky is involved in Special Olympics, either through the athletes or indirectly through coaches, donors and volunteers. On Saturday morning, the Touchstone Energy Balloon will tower 80-feet over EKU. Co-op volunteers will assist in handing out medals and supporting the Special Olympics staff who run the event.

The state summer games are the Kentucky Special Olympics’ largest competition of the year. Typically, 1,400 athletes, 600 coaches and 500 family members attend. Each athlete qualifies through participation at a regional or area-level event.

Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives are not-for-profit, member-owned cooperatives providing power to 530,000 Kentucky homes, farms, businesses and industries across 87 counties.

To learn more, go to Kentucky Living’s “Everyone Cheers” feature story.