Health & Fitness
Oxford Special Olympics Storms the 2014 SOCT Winter Games
Special Olympics Connecticut 2014 Winter Games mean more than just medals for athletes, partners, coaches and families from Oxford Special Olympics.
Recently we had the privilege to watch athletes compete in a variety of Winter Sports, displaying great courage and determination, backed by the selfless support of coaches, family, and volunteers - all right here in the state of Connecticut. Special Olympics Connecticut held their 2014 Winter Games on the weekend of March 1st and 2nd. Oxford Special Olympics was well represented, competing with great success in Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, and Snowshoeing.
Alpine Skiing Competition was held at Ski Sundown in New Hartford. Twenty-seven athletes and partners represented the Oxford program in events ranging from the Novice Slalom and the Super Glide to the Advanced Giant Slalom and Advanced Super G. These athletes have been diligently practicing Sunday evenings for the past two months with their partners and coaches at Powder Ridge Mountain Park in Middlefield. Special thanks to the generosity of Powder Ridge for making these practices possible.
Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing Competitions took place on the grounds of the Connecticut Light and Power Service Center in Simsbury. The great folks at CL&P once again donated not just their facilities but their time and effort to groom the grounds (after running snowmakers for weeks!), and then coordinate and officiate the events. Nine Cross Country Skiers from Oxford took part in 50M and 100M races, as well as the 4x100M Unified Relay. Twenty-one athlete and partner Snowshoers were involved in 25M, 50M, and 100M races, as well as the 4x50M and 4x100M relays. The Oxford Team has been braving the frigid temperatures since early January, practicing Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing Friday nights on Oxford Center School grounds.
Oxford Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all people with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community. Oxford Special Olympics is an accredited local chapter of CT Special Olympics which is a non-profit organization authorized and accredited by Special Olympics International for the benefit of citizens with intellectual disabilities.
In addition to Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing and Alpine Skiing, Oxford Special Olympics participates in Track and Field, Swimming, Cycling, Bowling, Volleyball, Golf, and Croquet. Summer Sports training in Cycling, Swimming, and Track and Field starts up the second week of April.
For more information, go to http://www.oxfordso.org/
