SODE photo galleries (be sure to check back as more will be added)
Cape Gazette photos by Dan Cook
Pictures on Delawareonline.com
Video on Delawareonline.com
View the 2011 Summer Games Program:
Special Olympics Delaware's signature event, sponsored by DuPont, takes place the second weekend each June at the University of Delaware.
Athletes and unified partners who have trained for two months compete in six sports -- aquatics, bocce, powerlifting, softball, tennis and track & field -- over two days.
In addition to the competitions, athletes have the opportunity to spend the night with their teams in the dormitories, enjoy the activities in Olympic Village in between competitions, and of course, dance their hearts out at the afternoon Family Picnic.
The grand Opening Ceremonies at the Bob Carpenter Center begins at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
Over 1,000 volunteers from a variety of companies and the community at large, led by a veteran organizing committee, donate their time and talents to ensure this event is a memorable one for everyone involved.
In addition to the sponsors and supporters listed below, the Delaware Air National Guard (logistics/operations) and DOW (Olympic Village and food volunteers) provide vital behind-the-scenes support.
The 2012 Summer Games will take place June 8-9 at the University of Delaware.
Aquatics: Sponsored by YMCA of Delaware, events at the UD Outdoor Pool range from flotation races to 100 individual medleys.
Bocce: Sponsored by Citi Delaware, doubles teams vie for the gold on carpeted courts inside the Delaware Field House.
Powerlifting: Sponsored by TD Bank, athletes compete in bench press, squat and combined on Saturday inside the Delaware Field House.
Softball: Sponsored by Wells Fargo , the Unified Softball tournament begins Friday morning with preliminary games followed by medal-round games on Saturday. All games take place at Handloff Park, located off Barksdale Road in Newark, less than three miles from the UD athletic complex.
Tennis: Sponsored by Barclay Card, athletes can participate in singles, doubles, Unified doubles or the individual skills competition. All matches take place on the UD outdoor tennis courts, located on the North side of the Delaware Field House.
Track & Field: Sponsored by Discover, preliminary races and field events take place Friday along with some finals, but the bulk of the finals take place Saturday. All events are held at the UD Outdoor Track, located behind the football stadium.
Motor Activity Training Program demonstrations will take place Friday morning at the Bob Carpenter Center.
Young Athletes: Sponsored by Macy's, children ages 2-7 demonstrate motor skills in beginning aquatics and track and field events.
Awards: Sponsored by Bank of America, the awards venues highlight the athletes' accomplishments and include members of Delaware Law Enforcement presenting medals to each participant.
Family Picnic: The Family Picnic is the perfect opportunity for athletes, coaches and families to gather for a barbecue on Friday evening prior to the Opening Ceremonies. The picnic takes place on the grassy field in front of Delaware Stadium beginning at 4:00 p.m. First State Force will provide the entertainment throughout the event and the "Flame of Hope" will arrive at approximately 5:15 p.m. following its 160-mile Torch Run journey!
Healthy Athletes: Supported by Bank of America, Healthy Athletes is made up of health-related educational and screening components offered for athletes at Summer Games. The major components of Healthy Hearing and Fit Feet are offered on the odd-numbered years (2011), while Special Smiles and Opening Eyes are offered on the even-numbered years (2012). Two other components offered every year are Injury Prevention/Flexibility and Be Tobacco Free. Practice without Pressure also hosts a women's health component underneath the pink tent.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided for all registered athletes, coaches, team volunteers and day-of event volunteers.
Olympic Village: Sponsored by Exxon, the Olympic Village is located behind the Field House, offering opportunities for athletes to learn and have fun in between competitions. Numerous activities are offered ranging from trying on space suits to climbing a rock wall to getting your picture taken with special guests.
Opening Ceremonies: Friday night at 7:00 at the Bob Carpenter Center is the time and site for the event's gala Opening Ceremonies. The ceremony includes the introduction of teams, footage from the past program year, and special guests. The highlight of the event is the arrival of the Flame of Hope and the lighting of the cauldron by the SODE athlete of the year and the Torch-Runner of the Year.
Torch Run: The 160-mile journey of the Flame of Hope begins Wednesday night in Rehoboth Beach and includes stops in Dover (Thursday) and Wilmington (Friday) for brief celebrations before arriving at the athletic complex during the Athlete/Family Barbecue. Over 500 law enforcement officers representing every agency in the state take part in the three-day event. Delaware continues to be the only state in the country that keeps its flame lit during the entire statewide journey.
Victory Dance: For some, the highlight of the weekend is the victory dance, held on the lawn in front of Delaware Stadium as part of the Family Picnic. Stories from the day's events are told and memories are made as athletes, coaches and volunteers dance the evening away before heading into the Bob Carpenter Center for Opening Ceremonies.
Picnic and Dance: Families are invited to be SODE's guests at the Friday evening barbecue and dance, where they can join their athletes to talk about the day's events, dance, dance, dance, or just relax and visit with other family members. And ... be on hand to cheer on the arrival of the Flame of Hope as it completes its 160-mile journey. Families Picnic flyer
Concessions: will be available on both days at the UD concession stand, located near the Families Tent.
Hospitality: A Families Tent will be located near the track to provide an opportunity for families to visit with each other, learn more about Special Olympics, and enjoy refreshments provided by Aramark.
Directions: Directions to the UD athletic complex.
Housing for Families: Housing is available at the dormitories for families for a nominal fee. For more information contact Brenda Zullo at bzullo@udel.edu or 302-740-1045.
Opening Ceremonies: Following the barbecue/dance on Friday night, families are invited to be in the stands to watch the athletes parade into the Opening Ceremonies at 7 p.m.
Safety Guidelines: For the safety of the competitors, family members will not be allowed directly in the competition areas. Only credentialed coaches and volunteers will be permitted "inside the ropes" at competition venues. There will be ample spectator seating at all venues and opportunities to take photos from designated areas, including at awards. We appreciate you respecting the directional signs located at each venue. For safety reasons, non-credentialed family members will not be permitted into the dormitories to visit the athletes.
© 2012 Special Olympics Delaware. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Web Site Design and Development by Bright Orange Thread
