Penn State To Host Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Annual Summer Games Beginning June 5
Penn State will host the Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s (SOPA) 55th annual Summer Games from Thursday, June 5 to Saturday, June 7.
More than 2,000 athletes and 800 coaches will make their way to University Park to compete in SOPA’s largest statewide competition, featuring six sporting events: aquatics, athletics, basketball, equestrian, tennis, and gymnastics.
The Summer Games will kick off with the Opening Ceremonies on Thursday evening, beginning at 7:15 p.m. at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. In partnership with the State College Spikes, the ceremony will feature exciting new additions such as ice cream, sports demos, and live action flips from bikes and scooters alike. The Olympic Torch will be lit to signify the beginning of the Summer Games.
Locations for this year’s competition events are as follows:
- Athletics – Outdoor PSU Track
- Basketball – IM Building/White Building Gym
- Equestrian – Snider Agriculture Arena
- Gymnastics – White Building
- Swimming – Outdoor Pool
- Tennis – Sarni Tennis Center
Alongside competition events, all SOPA athletes are also eligible for free health screenings and additional educational events throughout the games. A brief schedule of events can be found below, with a fully detailed version found here.
Thursday, June 5
- Noon to 4 p.m. — Preliminary competitions
- 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Swimming preliminary and final competitions
- 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Grassy Area behind IM Building — “Healthy Athletes” screenings
- 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park — Opening Ceremonies
Friday, June 6
- 8 a.m. — Competitions kick off
- 9 a.m. at the Grassy Area behind IM Building — “Healthy Athletes” screenings begin
- 10 a.m. at the Grassy Area behind IM Building — “Olympic Village”, where fun activities for athletes will be held between games
- 5 p.m. — Competitions conclude for the day
- 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Grassy Area behind the IM Building — Sports Fest and Victory Dance. This event features a DJ, dancing, games, and more. One lucky athlete will also be awarded the Sheetz Family Award for Excellence.
Saturday, June 7
- 8 a.m. — Competitions begin
- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grassy Area behind IM Building — “Healthy Athletes” screenings take place
- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grassy Area behind IM Building — “Olympic Village” activities commence
- 2:30 p.m. — Competitions and awards conclude for the day
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