(740) 405-0310
Licking County Special Olympics is a non-profit organization dedicated to the physical, social and psychological development of athletes with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics began in the early 1960’s when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for people with intellectual disabilities and then in Licking County in 1990.
Today there are over 180 local member organizations in Ohio and over 28,000 athletes. Our local chapter is run entirely by volunteers and in order for our athletes to compete in state wide events, we are dependent upon private donations and fund raising projects throughout our community.
Special Olympics exists to provide year-round sports training and competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. You can join our great cause by becoming involved as an athlete, volunteer, donor, sponsor, coach, or family member/friend!
Licking County Special Olympics offers the following sporting events
Individual Bowling
Bowling practices are held at Park Lanes in Heath, Ohio every other Sunday starting in late January and running through the State Summer Games the last weekend of June. Athletes attend one or two tournaments in the spring.
Track & Field
We offer a variety of sporting events in track including short and long distance running; softball throw, javelin throw, long jump, high jump, relay races, wheelchair slaloms, and walking events. The track season runs from April through end of June with 2 practices per week at the Evans Athletic Complex in Newark, Ohio and we attend two track meets in the spring in addition to the State Summer Games.
Powerlifting
Powerlifters learn the techniques of deadlift and bench press as well as develop an overall appreciation for strength training. Practices are held twice a month (1st and 3rd Saturdays) at CrossFit Newark, in Heath, Ohio at 11am-noon from October through June. Separate liability waivers must be completed by parent or legal guardian prior to athlete participation. Designed for athletes ages 16 and up. www.crossfitnewark.com
Basketball
Depending on the interest, ability, and ages of our athletes, we have three teams playing starting in October and running through March. Youth and adult teams have the opportunity to play various games and compete in tournaments in February and March. For those athletes not interested in being a part of a team, they can learn individual basketball skills or cheer for the youth and adult teams.
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