TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
Special Olympics is back for 2021 and volunteers are needed to make the Special Olympics Regional Track & Field Meet at Merrill High School on Saturday, May 15, a success.
Special Olympics Wisconsin is seeking volunteers to help throughout the day (from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) as athletes compete in running, walking, wheelchair racing, jumping, and throwing events. Volunteers are needed to help time the races; help measure, record, and escort the standing and running long jump events, the softball throw, and the turbo/mini javelin; and athlete escorts are also needed to walk with athletes from the staging area to the event to the awards area to help ensure they are in the right place at the right time.
“For most of the athletes, this event will be their first time competing in a Special Olympics event since before the beginning of the pandemic. Between the outdoor nature of the event, rising vaccinations rates, and rigorous safety precautions in place, we’re confident that this event will be a safe way to return to action for athletes and volunteers alike,” said Don Wigington, Special Olympics Wisconsin’s Vice President of Sports & Health Programs. “It will also provide some long-overdue memories for a community that has gone way too long without the unique thrill and energy of a Special Olympics Wisconsin event.”
To register to become a Special Olympics volunteer, go to: SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org
A press release from Special Olympics Wisconsin said, “While Special Olympics Wisconsin is excited to see the athletes and volunteers in action once again, safety is the number one priority. Special Olympics Wisconsin’s COVID-19 safety protocols include required screenings, physical distancing, and masks. Additionally, this modified smaller track meet will run in a stationed approach to limit interaction. Teams will be scheduled together and rotate through four stations to complete their events.”
Qualifying athletes will move on to the modified State Track Meet to be held at Lawrence University in Appleton on June 26.