UM to host Special Olympics

ORONO – The Special Olympics Maine State Summer Games will be held Thursday through Sunday, June 9-12, at the University of Maine. More than 1,300 athletes representing 180 teams will compete in a variety of Olympic-style sports. Competitions will include track and field, bowling, volleyball and wheelchair events.

The event will kick off with bowling and unified bowling 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, June 9. In unified bowling, Special Olympic athletes team up with non-Special Olympic athletes.

At 6 p.m. Friday, June 10, a parade of athletes and local Shrine units will precede opening ceremonies. The Maine State Police pipes and drum unit will perform during opening ceremonies.

The Flame of Hope will be flown in by LifeFlight of Bangor and carried by police Officer Douglas Maifield of Rumford Police Department and a Special Olympics athlete from the Augusta area.

Since June 7, the Flame of Hope has been carried across Maine by members of Maine law enforcement. More than 600 officers are participating in the torch run, which is one of the largest fund-raising events for the Special Olympics.

Track and field events will take place 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 11. Members of Maine law enforcement will hand out medals, and hundreds of volunteers will help conduct events. That evening, participants will attend the Banquet of Champions and a victory dance with music by Malinda Liberty and Shake, Rattle and Roll.

Athletes will compete in the mile run Sunday morning and take part in concluding ceremonies.

To obtain more information, call Lisa Bird at 839-5578, or the state office at 879-0489.