More than 1,200 athletes and hundreds of coaches and family members participated in competitions during the 2024 Special Olympics State Summer Games at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond.
Owen Electric Cooperative and other Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives again proudly sponsored the games, which took place May 31 - June 2. The Summer Games included competitions in track and field, soccer, bocce and rhythmic gymnastics.
Cooperatives provided more than 120 volunteers to help events go smoothly. Athletes were treated to tethered hot air balloon rides, courtesy of Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives during the morning.
“We are proud to help make the Special Olympics State Summer Games possible and to make it an unforgettable day for the athletes,” said Whitney Duvall, Owen Electric spokesperson and volunteer. “We are inspired by their courage and compassion, and we are proud to support them and the communities we serve.”
This was the 12th year of partnership between Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives and Special Olympics Kentucky.
“We appreciate so much everything that Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives does to make our State Summer Games so special for our athletes and their families,” said Trish Mazzoni, President/CEO of Special Olympics Kentucky. “Everybody looks forward to seeing their team members at the track each year and the work they do to make our awards process there go smoothly is incredible.”
The state Summer Games are the Kentucky Special Olympics’ largest competition of the year. This was the 29th year of competition at Eastern Kentucky University. Each athlete qualifies through participation at a regional or area-level event.
For more information: http://www.soky.org.