Special Olympics Tennessee’s State Fall Games are in Rutherford County this weekend, October 18 and 19. Volunteers are still needed for both event days, and everyone is welcome to cheer on athletes during competitions.
Special Olympics Tennessee’s (SOTN) State Fall Games returns this weekend at Smyrna Bowling Center and Richard Siegel Park in Rutherford County on October 18 and 19. The games will feature four Special Olympics sports; over 900 athletes and Unified Partners from across the state will participate. Volunteers are still needed for both days of the event in roles consisting of scorekeeping, timekeeping, down markers, general health, health screening, awards, merchandise sales and more.
The competition will begin on Friday, October 18, with bowling at Smyrna Bowling Center at 9:00 a.m. The opening ceremonies will be held at Richard Siegel Park at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Saturday will see competitions in flag football, fitness and the debut of cornhole at Richard Siegel Park beginning at 8:45 a.m. The Unified Flag Football state competition, in partnership with the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA), will also occur on Saturday. Find a schedule of events at www.specialolympicstn.org/fallgames.
SOTN athletes will also participate in the event's two free Healthy Athletes screenings. Fit Feet will offer screenings to evaluate ankles, feet, lower extremity biomechanics and proper shoe and sock gear. Strong Minds will give athletes tools to actively identify and use health and emotional wellness practices that work best for them.
The public is encouraged to attend the events to cheer on athletes as they compete. Schedules and venues can be found here.
Registration is also open for Young Athletes, a program for children ages 3 to 10 with and without disabilities. More information can be found here.
Members of the community are encouraged to volunteer to support State Fall Games. Opportunities include monitoring events, scorekeeping, timekeeping, sports skills, merchandise sales, health screenings, Young Athletes, and more. Click here to find a volunteer opportunity.
About Special Olympics Tennessee - Special Olympics Tennessee (SOTN) is a state chapter of Special Olympics North America, a part of Special Olympics International. The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. SOTN offers 17 Olympic-style sports and is composed of 36 areas covering the entire state with volunteer leaders managing activities in those districts. Its state office is in Nashville, Tennessee.
Special Olympics Tennessee is a registered 501(c)(3), non-profit organization supported by private donations from individuals, corporations and organizations throughout the state. Special Olympics is “the most credible charity in America” according to a survey in the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Learn more about Special Olympics Tennessee.
