CALENDAR

World Games 2017

2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games

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The Special Olympics World Winter Games are in progress in Graz, Schladming and Styria, Austria through March 25th. Almost 3,000 Special Olympics athletes from 110 nations are competing in nine Olympic-type winter sports.

2019 World Summer Games

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will be the host of the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games. The Games will be held 14 to 21 March in 2019.

Head Coach & Coach Application

Click here to view the application for the Coaching positions available for the 2019 Special Olympics Summer World Games.  The games will be held March 14-21.
If you are interested in being a Head Coach or Coach, please fill out the Application.  The deadline for submitting this application is September 20.  Completed applications must be email to: Chris Hahn at chbball73@hotmail.com.  Please contact Chris Hahn if you have any questions.
2015 World Summer Games
Links
John Lair, Jerad Leatherman and Ashley Spriggs
Congratulations Ashley and Jerad!
Click here to see Ashley’s race.
During their trip Special Olympics USA took part in “Host Town” activities where they enjoyed Austrian culture and cuisine by taking a tour of majestic Riegersburg Castle and touring the famous Zotter Chocolate Factory. At the castle, the team was greeted by Prince Emmanuel of Lichtenstein, whose family owns the castle. At the Zotter Chocolate Factory, Josef Zotter, known as the “Willy Wonka of Austria” was there to greet the team as they enjoyed a tour of the factory, tasting chocolate from bean to bars. The evening concluded with a party hosted by AMS, a semiconductor company in nearby Premstatten, that hosted and volunteer during host town all week. The following day, Special Olympics USA’s delegation split in half with teams competing in outdoor sports traveling West to Schladming and Ramsau while the indoor sports stayed in Graz for the duration of the Games. The Opening Ceremony aired live on ABC on Saturday18th and there were daily recaps on ESPN2.  ABC will air a “Best of” special  on Sunday, March 26, see below for details.

Follow the progress of the Games on ESPN and ABC from  March 18-26 beginning with a live three hour broadcast of the Opening Ceremony on Saturday, March 18 from 2-5 p.m.on ABC. A complete broadcast schedule is below.

To help you recognize our athletes in photos and footage – Ashley’s Bib number is 336 and Jerad’s is 323.  Andy Martinez from SOMO is also participating in snow shoeing and his number is 328.

Day/Date
Program
Time (ET)
Network
Sat, Mar 18
LIVE: Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017 — Opening Ceremony
2-5 p.m.
ABC
Sun, Mar 19
Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017
2-3 p.m.
ABC
Mon, Mar 20
Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017
6-6:30 p.m.
ESPN2
Tue, Mar 21
Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017
6-7 p.m.
ESPN2
Wed, Mar 22
Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017
6-7 p.m.
ESPN2
Thu, Mar 23
Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017
6-7 p.m.
ESPN2
Fri, Mar 24
Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017
6-7 p.m.
ESPN2
Sun, Mar 26
Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017 —
Best of the Games
2-3 p.m.
ABC

NOTE:   All shows will also be simulcast on the ESPN App and WatchESPN

COMPETITION RESULTS
Special Olympics USA will have results available on its website at: http://specialolympicsusa.org/2017/news/2017-world-winter-games-results. Please note that this web page is NOT live until the Games begin in Austria. You can also track results on the World Games website at the following link: http://www.austria2017.org/en/games-2017/the-results.

Click on the links below to read Ashley and Jerad’s Bios and to help them on their Quest for the Gold!

Ashley Spriggs

Learn More About Ashley

Donate to Ashley’s Quest for Gold

TRAINING CAMP PRACTICE PHOTOS
Check out more than 400 new training camp practice and event photos:
Special Olympics USA Flickr
www.flickr.com/photos/soteamusa/sets/

Learn More About Jerad

Donate to Jerad’s Quest for Gold

2017 World Winter Games Mascot
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Coach John Lair, of New Hope Pittsburg, will attend the Games as a Snowshoe Coach.

Cpl. James Browning of Merriam Police Department, has been selected to represent Kansas Law EnforcemenJames Browningt Torch Run in the Final Leg for the World Games.  Members of the Final Leg will run the Special Olympics Torch throughout Austria prior to the Games, ending at the Opening Ceremony where they will light the Flame of Hope to declare the 2017 World Winter Games open.

About The Games:

When

March 14th- 25th 2017
WhereGraz, Schladming, Ramsau, Schladming-Rohrmoos
Who3.000 athletes of 110 nations
1.100 trainer
3.000 Volunteers
5.000 family members/friends
800 congress participants
1.000 Media representatives
1.200 MVP-Fans
Disciplines
(participants)		Figure skating(180)
Speed skating (250)
Floor Hockey/Floorball (1.160)
Snow shoeing (300)
Alpine skiing (390)
Nordic Skiing (400)
Snowboarding(120)
Stick shooting (200)
Opening ceremony
March 18th 2017 in Schladming/WM-Stadium Planai
Closing ceremonyMarch 24th 2017 in Graz/Merkur Arena