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Community Corner

Kane County Well-Represented at USA Games

This past week 52 Athletes, 6 Unified Partners and 15 coaches from all over the state competed in the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games in New Jersey. 

Vanessa Sandoval (Unified Partner), Matthew Sommerer (Athlete) and Carina Valencia (Unified Partner) of Hoffman Estates were all part of the Team Illinois Unified Soccer Team that finished 4th in the nation. 

Elburn's Janna Blowers competed in gymnastics and took 4th Place in vault, Bronze in uneven bars, Silver in balance beam, Silver in floor exercise and 4th Place in All-Around. The gymnasts were all pleasantly surprised on the Thursday of competition when Olympic champions Svetlana Boginskaya and Rustam Sharipov stopped by the gymnastics facility to cheer them on an and give out awards.  

Amy Longmore of Elgin also coached the Team Illinois Volleyball Team that took home Gold after an exciting match last Friday.  

This was the largest national games undertaking ever in the United States. Nearly 3,500 athletes competed in 16 Olympic-style team and individual sports. The athletes were supported by 1,000 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and an anticipated 70,000 spectators. 

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for nearly 21,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 18,500 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms lives by empowering people with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support.  If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, call 800-394-0562 or visit our website at www.soill.org.

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