Special Olympics Minnesota's 2010 Summer Games Continue

Today's competition includes track and field and gymnastics, culminates with Celebration Ceremonies

MINNEAPOLIS, June 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Track and field events continue today at the University of Minnesota's Bierman Athletics Complex (corner of 15th Avenue SE and 5th Street SE) from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Between competitions, athletes have the chance to spend time in Olympic Town and Healthy Athletes Village, open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. Rhythmic gymnastics competition is also taking place at Mini-Hops Gymnastics Club in Minnetonka (131 Cheshire Lane, Suite 100) from 2:30-5:30 p.m.

Summer Games Celebration Ceremonies will be held this evening at 7:30 p.m. at Bierman Field and will include guest speakers, an athlete parade, Minnesota law enforcement personnel and the ceremonial lighting of the "Flame of Hope" by Special Olympics Minnesota National Games athlete Erik Westenfield. Law enforcement volunteers participated in a 2,000-mile Torch Run Final Leg relay running the flame across Minnesota in the week leading up to Summer Games. The 2010 Final Leg will culminate tonight at Celebration Ceremonies. Pre- ceremony entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes a performance by the Minnesota Vikings Skol Line.

Today in Olympic Town athletes can enjoy Olympic Town Stage performances by Rince Na Chroi, an Irish dancing troupe, and Ruben, a Stillwater-based band. Athletes can also sing karaoke on stage and dance to music in the Boogie Town tent. This afternoon, athletes can visit the Hairstyle Station to get styled for tonight's Celebration Ceremonies and subsequent athlete dance.

Today's Healthy Athletes Village features Special Smiles from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Healthy Hearing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Opening Eyes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A blood glucose screening by Health East will also be part of today's health fair activities from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Healthy Athletes is a free health screening initiative designed to increase the health and fitness of people with intellectual disabilities, a medically underserved population. The Healthy Athletes program works to improve access to health care by providing free screenings, making referrals to local health practitioners and training health professionals and students about the needs of people with intellectual disabilities.

In case of inclement weather, track and field competition continues in light rain but may be delayed or cancelled if there is a heavy downpour, lightning, high winds or other severe weather. Gymnastics competition is held indoors and will proceed regardless of weather. The rain location for Celebration Ceremonies is the University of Minnesota Field House (1800 University Avenue SE).

Special Olympics Minnesota offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round sports training and competition. Through Special Olympics' athletic, health and leadership programs, people with intellectual disabilities transform themselves, their communities and the world.

Below is the 2010 Summer Games Schedule of Events

SOURCE Special Olympics Minnesota