Special Olympics Summer Games To Start Friday

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — The Special Olympics Summer Games start tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Rhode Island. The event is going to be live-streamed on Facebook. Here are the details.

WHAT: Special Olympics Rhode Island State Summer Games

WHEN: June 2, 3 & 4, 2017

WHERE: University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island

WHO: Nearly 1,500 athletes, more than 2,000 volunteers and 4,000 family members.

The State Summer Games features competition in Athletics, Bowling, Cycling, MATP (Motor Activities Training Program), Powerlifting, Swimming and Unified Soccer.

SIGNIFICANCE:

• State House - June 2nd at 1:30pm: Governor Gina Raimondo; Attorney General Peter Kilmartin; Dennis DeJesus, CEO - Special Olympics Rhode Island; and Chief Elwood Johnson, Richmond PD & Co-director of the SORI Torch Run Committee will address the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Police, Fire, Corrections and State Troopers at the State House (Smith Street entrance). Runners will leave the State House with the Torch for URI at 2:00pm.
• Opening Ceremonies - June 2nd at 7:30pm at the University of Rhode Island will include: Lt. Governor Daniel McKee, State of Rhode Island; Tom Maggicomo, Chairman of Special Olympics Board of Directors; Dennis DeJesus, CEO of Special Olympics Rhode Island; Captain Timothy Steadman, US Navy Surface Warfare Officers School; Presentation of Colors by Law Enforcement Honor Guards; Lighting of the Cauldron - the culmination of a 125 mile statewide torch relay, more than 400 police, fire, corrections, and state troopers will present the Flame of Hope. Special Olympics Rhode Island athletes will join along and light the cauldron to officially open the 2017 State Summer Games.

• Worcester based Envision Digital Group will be streaming Special Olympics Rhode Island's Opening Ceremonies on Facebook Live on Friday, June 2nd at 7:30pm. Be sure to like us on Facebook.

• Torch Run Motorcycle Ride will be on June 3rd from Metro Collision Center, Johnston, send-off is 7:00pm
• State Summer Games Competition Schedule