Rev It Up for the Special Olympics Michigan 2010 State Summer Games!

In just four weeks, all the fun and celebration kicks off June 3-5. Experience the State Summer Games like you never have before. Don't miss your chance to be a part of the excitement and plan your trip to Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant for all the fun. Be a fan in the stands for Opening Ceremonies June 3 or cheer on athletes as they compete on June 4 and 5! There is no charge for admission. Come join the fun as 5,500 athletes, coaches, chaperones and volunteers come together to share in the competition, joy, acceptance, friendship, inclusion and excitement of the State Summer Games.

• LETR Capitol Steps Torch Lighting Ceremony
• 2009 Inspirational Athlete Kyle Winters to Light Torch
• Presenting Sponsor Spartan Stores
• Three Grand Marshalls
• Coast Guard Flyover
• Sports Figures, Miss Michigan and Plenty of Other Pageant Royalty
• Spartan Stores 2009 Healthy Athlete of the Year Amy Bliss
• Miss Michigan & Nearly Two Dozen Other Pageant Title Holders
• Rev It Up Ride
• King & Queen of the State Summer Games
• Healthy Athletes Village
• Young Athletes Program
• Public Open House & Tour
• New Sport - Turbo Jav

There is only one way to start the Special Olympics Summer Games 2010, and that's with the traditional Capitol Steps Torch Lighting Ceremony in Lansing on June 3 at 10 a.m.  Law Enforcement Torch Run members will carry the torch from Lansing to Mt. Pleasant for Opening Ceremonies that night.

The 2009 Inspirational Athlete of the Year, Kyle Winters, will have the honor of running the last leg of the torch run in Kelly/Shorts Stadium to light the Flame of Hope at Opening Ceremonies. He will be presented with a running jacket at Closing ceremonies from the Law Enforcement Torch Run and become an honorary member. The 2010 Inspirational Athlete of the Year will be announced during Closing Ceremonies.

Our Presenting Sponsor Spartan Stores is back for the 26th year! Spartan Stores supports athletes, provides volunteers and feeds hundreds of volunteers throughout the games.

We have three Grand Marshalls for the parade of athletes. Special Olympics Michigan Director of Area Management Ron Green is celebrating 30 years with us. Long time volunteers Bob Cosan and Mary Alsager are celebrating 30 years on the Summer Games Committee! Congratulations to them all!

Opening Ceremonies will include a Coast Guard flyover!

Several sports figures, including Detroit Lions players will be volunteering their time at the State summer Games. There will also be plenty of pageant royalty, including Miss Michigan Nicole Blaszczyk and about 20 other title holders from around Michigan! Many of them will be on hand for the Celebrity Autograph signing on Friday at 1:30 at Central Michigan University's Indoor Athletic Complex.

Our Spartan Stores 2009 Healthy Athlete of the Year, Amy Bliss, will lead the athlete oath at Opening Ceremonies. Amy will also be signing limited edition trading cards during the Celebrity Autograph Signing. The Spartan Stores 2010 Healthy Athlete of the Year will be announced during Opening Ceremonies.

New this year is the "Rev It Up Ride" leading up to Closing Ceremonies on Friday night, June 4.  The "Rev It Up Ride" will bring motorcycle riders from all across Michigan to Mt. Pleasant. Many of them are members of the Michigan Moose Association but anyone is welcome to participate by paying the entry fee that will raise funds for Special Olympics Michigan.

New this year, a King and Queen of the 2010 State Summer Games will be announced during Closing Ceremonies.  Each Area can nominate one male and one female athlete. The athlete must be present at Closing Ceremonies. The King and Queen will be drawn from nomination forms submitted at Closing Ceremonies.

The Healthy Athlete Village provides free health screenings to all athletes. This year it includes Opening Eyes, Special Smiles, Healthy Hearing, Medfest and Spartan Stores "To Your Good Life".

During this year's Summer Games, parents and children are not only encouraged to have fun but also to participate in the Young Athletes Program. The Young Athletes Program introduces children ages 2-7 to Special Olympics Michigan, before they become eligible to compete. The Young Athlete Program will be held in Rose Arena room 125 on June 5th from 10 a.m. - noon.

New this year, we are holding an Open House and Tour for the public at three different times. Meet us at the CMU's Indoor Athletic Complex on Friday at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. or on Saturday at 10 a.m. If you know someone with intellectual disabilities or just want to learn more about Special Olympics Michigan programs come join us and take a tour of the State Summer Games!   

Turbo jav is a new track and field competition this year. The turbo jav is a throwing instrument designed to develop correct throwing technique. Each athlete gets three non-consecutive throws to try and throw the turbo jav the farthest. The tip must land first.

Thank you to all supporters, sponsors, donors, volunteers, athletes, family members and friends! 

Posted: 2010-05-05