The Summer Games, Special Olympics Iowa's biggest event and celebration, are just 15 days away! We are expecting 1,813 athletes, 92 Unified partners, 613 coaches, and 1,300 volunteers for this three-day event. The festivities will kick off Thursday morning with the Torch Run Final Leg® bringing the Flame of Hope from downtown Des Moines to Hilton Coliseum for the Opening Ceremony sponsored by Hy-Vee.
At the 2022 Summer Games, we will be holding our first-ever Little Feet Meet! The Little Feet Meet is an inclusive opportunity for Young Athletes, ages 2 to 7, with and without intellectual disabilities to participate in track and field events at the Summer Games. The Little Feet Meet stations will include a 25m dash, tennis ball throw, soccer kick, and bocce. The meet will take place Thursday, May 19th, at the Lied Recreation Center on the Iowa State University Campus.
Also featured at the games is an Olympic Festival, which is an area for athletes to relax between competitions and interact with sponsors and partners through games and activities. Healthy Athletes screenings will also be provided to athletes by healthcare professionals for eyesight, dental, hearing, overall health and fitness, and more.
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Date: May 19-21
Location: Iowa State University
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Track and Field and Swimming Competition |
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Thank you to all of the athletes and Unified partners who participated in our track and field and swimming competitions this spring. Area meets were held all across the state, and over 2,000 athletes saw competition. Good job to all who competed, and we look forward to seeing many of you at Summer Games! |
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After one tournament and three basketball games, one team came out on top; the University of Iowa Unified Basketball team. The University of Iowa Unified Basketball team won the Unified division of the NIRSA Championship Series National Basketball Championship. The tournament was held at Wichita Hoops in Wichita, Kansas, where athletes from all over the country were able to compete under one roof.
Dallas Dircks, an athlete on the team, also won the three-point competition during the tournament. He has been an athlete with Special Olympics Iowa for over ten years and has been able to take his basketball skills to a new level.
The team is looking forward to strategizing on what worked well and what they could change as they set their sights toward their upcoming appearance in the Special Olympics USA Games this summer in Orlando, FL!
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Throughout the month of July, we are headed to the diamond for the regional slow-pitch tournaments and softball skills competitions. Registration for all softball competitions will open on May 27th. |
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Softball Dates and Locations
Softball Skills Competition (Manning) - July 7th
West Regional Softball Tournament (Sioux City) - July 9
West Central Regional Softball Tournament (Des Moines) - July 16
Softball Skills Competition (Muscatine) - July 16
East Central Regional Softball Tournament (Cedar Rapids) - July 23
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Make a splash by taking the Polar Plunge in Council Bluffs! If jumping into cold water isn't your thing, you can still support Special Olympics Iowa by playing in a cornhole tournament! There will be youth, social, and competitive divisions, with prizes awarded to the top teams in each division. You can sign up for one or both; the choice is yours!
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Date: May 7th
Location: W Broadway St, Council Bluffs
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Dallas County Sheriff's All-Wheel Show |
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Join us in Adel on Saturday, June 4th, for the 13th Annual Dallas County Sheriff’s All-Wheel Show. The event will feature a competitive car show, commercial vendors, and free entertainment. Show awards will be given for Best of Show, Special Olympics Choice, Most Likely to be Stopped by a Cop, Bad Bike, Long Distance, and top 20.
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Date: June 4th
Cost: $25 for the first car and $10 for every car after
Location: Downtown Square 8th & Main, Adel
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Swing with the Celebrities Golf Tournament |
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The Swing with the Celebrities Golf Tournament is a unique opportunity for individuals and organizations to raise money and support SOIA athletes by joining current and former University of Iowa football players and staff for a day of golf and fun. |
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Date: June 22nd
Location: Brown Deer Golf Club
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An extreme fundraiser benefitting Special Olympics Iowa, this crazy contest features the ultimate man versus machine battle as teams of 10 play tug-of-war with an airplane weighing approximately 80,000 pounds. Each team of 10 raises a minimum of $500 to participate and competes in one of five divisions: open, public safety, civic, high school/college, or co-ed. |
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Date: June 25th
Location: Des Moines International Airport
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Registration Forms Available Online
Registration forms for one-day programs and sports competitions are available online! Go to the Participation Forms page on our website to view registration forms for upcoming SOIA events.
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Event Calendar
May
12 - Quad Cities Regional All-Stars Tournament
13 - Central Lee Young Athletes Play Day
19 - Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg
19-21- Summer Games
June
4 - Dallas County Sheriff's All-Wheel Show
5 - 12 - USA Games
22 - Swing with the Celebrities Golf Tournament
25 - Plane Pull
July
7 - Softball Skills Competition
9 - West Regional Softball Tournament
16 - West Central Regional Softball Tournament
16 - Softball Skills Competition
23 - East Central Regional Softball Tournament
2022 State Competition Dates
Summer Games: May 19 - 21
State Softball and Softball Skills: August 6
Flag Football State Tournament: September 24
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