The 2015 Special Olympics World Games from Los Angeles are here! Catch all the action and follow the six Special Olympics Georgia Athletes competing as a part of Special Olympics USA. All the action begins on Saturday (July 25) with the much-anticipated Opening Ceremonies LIVE from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 9 p.m. EDT. The event is being televised on ESPN, and the sports network will be covering the World Games throughout with nightly recap shows. ESPN is the official broadcast partner of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games.
2015 Special Olympics World Games SOGA Recap
The 2015 Special Olympics World Games was a tremendous success, and what a week it was for Special Olympics Georgia! Overall, there were 12 medals won for the week and few more Top Eight finishes as well. Here is a complete roundup of all six athletes:
– Julie Doss – Five medals – Gymnastics. Gold Medal in her division in the Vault. Silver Medals in the Floor Exercise, Balance Beam, Uneven Bars and All-Around.
– Jennifer Maddox – Three medals – Equestrian. Gold Medal in her division in the English Equitation, Silver Medal in the Dressage and Bronze Medal in the Working Trails.
– Will Crain – Two medals – Kayaking. Gold Medal in his division in the 500-meter race and Silver Medal in the 200-meter race.
– Shannon Laffey – Two medals – Gymnastics. Bronze medal in her division in both the Floor Exercise and the Uneven Bars. She also placed fourth in the Balance Beam, Vault and All-Around.
– Brooke Hasfjord – Aquatics. She finished fourth in her division in both the 50-meter backstroke and the 4×50 Freestyle Relay and eighth in the 50-meter freestyle.
– Michael Crofton and John Kirkland – Sailing. They placed fourth in the Sailing Unified Team event.
Here is the ESPN broadcast schedule of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games:
Thurs., July 23 – Countdown with Robin Roberts – 9 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Sat., July 25 – Countdown with Robin Roberts – 2:30 p.m. EDT – ABC
Sat., July 25 – 30-For-30 Short: Brave In The Attempt – 7:30 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Sat., July 25 – Countdown with Robin Roberts – 8 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Sat., July 25 – LIVE: Opening Ceremonies from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – 9 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Sun., July 26 – Daily LA2015 Show – 7 p.m. EDT – ESPN2
Mon., July 27 – Daily LA2015 Show – 7 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Tues., July 28 – Daily LA2015 Show – 7 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Wed. July 29 – Daily LA2015 Show – 7 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Thurs., July 30 – Daily LA2015 Show – 7 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Fri. July 31 – Daily LA2015 Show – 7 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Sat., Aug. 1 – Daily LA2015 Show – 4 p.m. EDT – ABC
Sat., Aug. 1 – Daily LA2015 Show – 7 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Fri. Aug. 7 – Best of LA2015 Show – 7 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Sat., Aug. 8 – Best of LA2015 Show – 4 p.m. EDT – ABC
Check local listing for exact times. All shows will re-air on ESPN2 later that same night.
Visit ESPN’s webpage for a complete schedule and details on Robin Roberts’ special, “Countdown to the Special Olympics World Games” and Maria Shriver’s 30-For-30 Short, “Brave In The Attempt.”
Learn more about the 2015 Special Olympics World Games at www.la2015.org.
For all the results throughout the 2015 Special Olympics World games, go to www.la2015.org/results for all events starting on July 25.
Photos will be plentiful during the week of the Special Olympics World Games, and the Special Olympics USA Photo gallery will be constantly updated. Click here to view the Special Olympics USA Flickr page.
2015 State Masters Bowling
by David Crawford2015 Duck Pluck
by David Crawford2014 State Summer Games
by David CrawfordNew Monthly Donors Earn Our Athletes An Extra $50!
by David CrawfordGreat news! Until October 31, a generous supporter will give an additional $50 to Special Olympics when you make your first monthly gift as a Sustaining Partner.
As a Sustaining Partner, your monthly gift of any amount you choose will help ensure we’re always able to provide training and competition opportunities to our athletes year-round. Sustaining Partners provide the dependable monthly support we need to fund things like athlete training, uniforms, transportation, meals, medals and so much more. Your steady support gives our athletes a chance to show the world what they can do. As they train, they gain confidence and skills to succeed both on and off the playing fields. Again and again we see it transform the way the athletes see themselves as someone who can, not someone who cannot.
lease help us reach and train more aspiring athletes and ensure that none of our athletes ever have to sit on the sidelines at an event – become a Sustaining Partner now and Special Olympics will receive an additional $50, up to $25,000. Please don’t delay – this opportunity to multiply your impact is only available until October 31. Thank you again for all that you do to help improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities!
Warner Robins set to host the State Masters Bowling Tournament for Special Olympics Georgia
by David CrawfordSixth straight year this SOGA event is being held in Georgia’s “International City”
Atlanta – August 12, 2015 – In what is becoming a late-summer tradition, the Special Olympics Georgia State Masters Bowling Tournament returns to Warner Robins Aug. 21-23. This marks the sixth straight year the event is being held in Georgia’s “International City.”
Warner Robins was also the host city for the inaugural State Masters Bowling event in 1990. The Tournament is free and open to the public.
“We are so excited and looking forward to the upcoming State Masters Bowling Tournament,” said Special Olympics Georgia CEO Georgia Milton-Sheats. “Thank you to the city of Warner Robins and the community for being so incredible and embracing us with open arms. This will be a huge event including singles, unified team and ramp bowling competitions.
“Come and be a fan!”
An estimated 1,200 SOGA athletes and unified partners are expected to compete in the event, while approximately 250 coaches and 600 volunteers will be on hand to help make the tournament a success. The Masters Bowling Tournament is the third of the five State Games hosted by Special Olympics Georgia each year.
Although there will be competition on the first day of the event, the highlight of the day is the Opening Ceremony, which will be held at Southside Baptist Church in Warner Robins. Warner Robins Mayor Randy Toms with serve as the Tournament Grand Marshal, while Amanda Castro from NBC 41-Macon will be the Master of Ceremonies.
The Opening Ceremony concludes with the Parade of Athletes with a bagpiper and the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Afterwards, there will be a dance with singer Dell Cook providing the post-ceremony entertainment.
The bowling competition itself will be held at both the Gold Cup Lanes and Robins Air Force Base Bowling Center (Robins Lanes). Overall, there will be athletes representing 53 local agencies from throughout the state, and awards will be given throughout the Tournament.
Special Olympics Georgia would like to thank the two Presenting Sponsors – the City of Warner Robins and the Warner Robins Convention and Visitors Bureau, as well as Official Sponsors Idealease, Allied World, Flint Energies, Kaiser Permanente, Boeing, RR Donnelley, Mattel, Lockheed Martin and the Knights of Columbus.
Potential volunteers need to contact whitney.warren@specialolympicsga,org. For more information and a schedule, please visit www.specialolympicsga.org.
2015 Duck Pluck set for Friday to benefit Special Olympics Georgia
by David Crawford10,000 rubber ducks to fill up swimming pool at Post Chastain Apartment complex
Atlanta – August 12, 2015 – The Post Chastain Apartment complex is where everyone will want to be this Friday as Special Olympics Georgia will have its annual Duck Pluck fundraiser.
This event benefits Special Olympics to help the non-profit organization provide year-round sports training and competition to both children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The 2015 Duck Pluck will feature 10,000 yellow rubber ducks filling up the pool at Post Chastain. Certain ducks will then be plucked for prizes.
Ducks are still available to be adopted at five dollars per duck. Chances of winning increase with a $30 donation, in which the donor receives seven duck adoptions plus a souvenir plastic junior duck. This year’s Duck Pluck sponsors are Rooms To Go Children’s Fund and Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academies.
Visit www.AtlantaDuckPluck.com today to adopt your duck online. All online adoptions will close on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 11:45 p.m.
New Monthly Donors Earn Our Athletes An Extra $50
by David CrawfordGreat news! Until October 31, a generous supporter will give an additional $50 to Special Olympics when you make your first monthly gift as a Sustaining Partner.
As a Sustaining Partner, your monthly gift of any amount you choose will help ensure we’re always able to provide training and competition opportunities to our athletes year-round. Sustaining Partners provide the dependable monthly support we need to fund things like athlete training, uniforms, transportation, meals, medals and so much more. Your steady support gives our athletes a chance to show the world what they can do. As they train, they gain confidence and skills to succeed both on and off the playing fields. Again and again we see it transform the way the athletes see themselves as someone who can, not someone who cannot.
lease help us reach and train more aspiring athletes and ensure that none of our athletes ever have to sit on the sidelines at an event – become a Sustaining Partner now and Special Olympics will receive an additional $50, up to $25,000. Please don’t delay – this opportunity to multiply your impact is only available until October 31. Thank you again for all that you do to help improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities!
Strike the R-Word – September 29
by SOGAStrike the R-word with us on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at Bowlmor Atlanta. Have fun bowling in this annual fundraiser while you help raise awareness of how the R-word hurts people with intellectual disabilities as well as their families and friends. Registration for the event is $50 and that includes food, goody bags, free shoe rental, bowling and an awesome silent auction.
Click here to register for Strike the R-word
Thank you to our 2015 Strike the R-word Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor:
T-Shirt Sponsor:
Coca-Cola
Hospitality Sponsors:
Arby’s Foundation
Rhino Shield
Claire Danielson
Sam’s Club
Lane Sponsors:
Drex – Star 94
Dr. Ronald Watts
Courtney Gugin
Georgia Athletic Officials Association
Friend:
Hancock Askew & Co
Red Robin “Tip-A-Cop” – October 24
by David Crawford“Tip-A-Cop” is an official Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Campaign fundraising event. Law enforcement officers and department personnel volunteer their time as “Celebrity Waiters” to collect tips at selected Red Robin Restaurants to support Special Olympics Georgia. This will take place on Saturday, October 24 at the following Red Robin locations:
Newnan
Lawrenceville
Columbus
Evans
Cumming
The shifts for the event will be between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Come out, enjoy a delicious Red Robin Burger and “Tip-A-Cop.”
SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES CENTRAL
by SOGAThe 2015 Special Olympics World Games from Los Angeles are here! Catch all the action and follow the six Special Olympics Georgia Athletes competing as a part of Special Olympics USA. All the action begins on Saturday (July 25) with the much-anticipated Opening Ceremonies LIVE from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 9 p.m. EDT. The event is being televised on ESPN, and the sports network will be covering the World Games throughout with nightly recap shows. ESPN is the official broadcast partner of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games.
2015 Special Olympics World Games SOGA Recap
The 2015 Special Olympics World Games was a tremendous success, and what a week it was for Special Olympics Georgia! Overall, there were 12 medals won for the week and few more Top Eight finishes as well. Here is a complete roundup of all six athletes:
– Julie Doss – Five medals – Gymnastics. Gold Medal in her division in the Vault. Silver Medals in the Floor Exercise, Balance Beam, Uneven Bars and All-Around.
– Jennifer Maddox – Three medals – Equestrian. Gold Medal in her division in the English Equitation, Silver Medal in the Dressage and Bronze Medal in the Working Trails.
– Will Crain – Two medals – Kayaking. Gold Medal in his division in the 500-meter race and Silver Medal in the 200-meter race.
– Shannon Laffey – Two medals – Gymnastics. Bronze medal in her division in both the Floor Exercise and the Uneven Bars. She also placed fourth in the Balance Beam, Vault and All-Around.
– Brooke Hasfjord – Aquatics. She finished fourth in her division in both the 50-meter backstroke and the 4×50 Freestyle Relay and eighth in the 50-meter freestyle.
– Michael Crofton and John Kirkland – Sailing. They placed fourth in the Sailing Unified Team event.
Here is the ESPN broadcast schedule of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games:
Thurs., July 23 – Countdown with Robin Roberts – 9 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Sat., July 25 – Countdown with Robin Roberts – 2:30 p.m. EDT – ABC
Sat., July 25 – 30-For-30 Short: Brave In The Attempt – 7:30 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Sat., July 25 – Countdown with Robin Roberts – 8 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Sat., July 25 – LIVE: Opening Ceremonies from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – 9 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Sun., July 26 – Daily LA2015 Show – 7 p.m. EDT – ESPN2
Mon., July 27 – Daily LA2015 Show – 7 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Tues., July 28 – Daily LA2015 Show – 7 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Wed. July 29 – Daily LA2015 Show – 7 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Thurs., July 30 – Daily LA2015 Show – 7 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Fri. July 31 – Daily LA2015 Show – 7 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Sat., Aug. 1 – Daily LA2015 Show – 4 p.m. EDT – ABC
Sat., Aug. 1 – Daily LA2015 Show – 7 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Fri. Aug. 7 – Best of LA2015 Show – 7 p.m. EDT – ESPN
Sat., Aug. 8 – Best of LA2015 Show – 4 p.m. EDT – ABC
Check local listing for exact times. All shows will re-air on ESPN2 later that same night.
Visit ESPN’s webpage for a complete schedule and details on Robin Roberts’ special, “Countdown to the Special Olympics World Games” and Maria Shriver’s 30-For-30 Short, “Brave In The Attempt.”
Learn more about the 2015 Special Olympics World Games at www.la2015.org.
For all the results throughout the 2015 Special Olympics World games, go to www.la2015.org/results for all events starting on July 25.
Photos will be plentiful during the week of the Special Olympics World Games, and the Special Olympics USA Photo gallery will be constantly updated. Click here to view the Special Olympics USA Flickr page.