More than 1,000 athletes and several thousand of their fans will be in Odessa this week for the Special Olympics Fall Classic.
Held in Odessa and Midland, it will feature swimming, golf, bocce and softball.
There will also be FUNdamental sports, which were created for those who can’t compete in typical Special Olympics events. The athletes have a chance to receive a medal and be involved in various modifications of a lot of activities, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications for Special Olympics Texas Dave Norris said.
He added that FUNdamental Sports has grown about 100 percent each year.
Special Olympics is aimed at intellectually disabled athletes and FUNdamental Sports opens doors for a lot of them.
There will be several cauldrons representing the different regions, but there isn’t a scheduled Torch Run leading up to the cauldron lighting.
“We have many dozens of law enforcement officers who are coming in to help with the show and they will be teaming up with athletes to light the cauldrons.
“That’s this Friday night at the opening ceremonies,” which start at 7 p.m. at the Ector County Coliseum, Norris said.
Athletic events will typically be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a break for lunch.
“Some of our events start at 10 a.m. It’s pretty much sports specific, but you can pretty much count on Friday and Saturday having sports going all day,” Norris added.
There are volunteer openings starting as early as Wednesday (Oct. 2).
They are also needed for specific events such as bocce and swimming.
“We’ve seen great community support coming out from Midland and Odessa; a lot of sign-ups, but we still definitely have plenty of sign-ups left and we’re trying to fill those,” Norris said.
This is the first time Odessa and Midland have hosted the state games.
“We had area sports there which are much smaller scale than this. This is the first time we’re bringing a statewide games. It’s really bringing in everybody from Texas, but beyond that,” Norris said. “We even have Special Olympics Hawaii flying in for this.”
Laura Marts, director of Discovery Odessa, said it’s an honor to host the Special Olympics Fall Classic this year.
“Welcoming over 1,000 athletes and their families to Odessa/Midland for nearly a week is both a privilege and a thrill. These athletes will immerse themselves in our culture and economy, participating in events at our facilities, dining in our restaurants, staying in our hotels, and exploring our attractions. This influx of visitors is expected to generate over $2 million in economic impact for our city. It’s exactly the type of event we aspire to host, as it supports tourism and showcases our West Texas hospitality to new guests,” Marts said.
“Discover Odessa and the SOTX team invite you to the Ector County Coliseum on Friday, October 4, at 7 p.m. for the Opening Ceremonies. This free event promises to be full of energy! The Parade of Athletes and the dance party that follows will rival any event you’ve attended. We encourage everyone in the Permian Basin to join us for this unforgettable celebration!” Marts added.
Jacqui Gore, University of Texas Permian Basin vice president for Community Engagement and Partnerships, echoed Marts’ comments.
“As an official Special Olympics University, our students, faculty and staff have supported Special Olympics throughout the year. We are looking forward to hosting Special Olympics athletes and their coaches and families from across the state,” Gore said.
There are still volunteer opportunities available. Visit tinyurl.com/mrx24t8v to sign up and be part of the event!
