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Spring/Summer Games Season is Wrapping Up

Spring/Summer Games season will soon be over

Last Practice Dates:

Aquatics (All athletes) and Male Swimming Athletes: Monday, May 19

Female Swimming Athletes: Friday, May 23 (Please see your email about practices being moved back to Fridays)

Powerlifting: Monday, May 19

Volleyball: Tuesday, May 27 (No change)

Soccer: Tuesday, May 27 (No change)

Track and Field: Saturday, May 17

PRACTICE HANDOUT- UPDATED 03/30/2025

State Summer Games Tournament:

Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31
USD, Vermillion SD

Questions can be directed to (605) 336-0240 or Fireworks@sosiouxfalls.org

Spring-Summer Games Practice Handout- Updated March 30

State Summer Games Coming Soon!

April 4, 2025/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by Heather Leischner

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Athlete Oath

Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.

Our Mission

The Mission of Special Olympics South Dakota and the Sioux Falls Fireworks is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children (8 years and older) and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

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The Special Olympics Experience

In addition to the athletic competition, each of the games include all of the pageantry and excitement of Olympic Games, with events such as Opening Ceremonies, Lighting the Special Olympics Flame of Hope, Victory Dances, Banquets, and Award Ceremonies.

World Games are held every two years on odd years with Winter Games and Summer Games alternating. Competitors from the United States participate as part of Team USA.

National Games are scheduled every four years on even numbered years.

Policies:

Special Olympics is unique in that it accommodates competitors at all ability levels by assigning them to competition divisions based on previous performances or preliminary heats. In this way, all athletes get a chance to compete against others of equal ability.

Special Olympics vs Other Sports Organizations

Special Olympics is like other Sports Organizations:

We follow the National Governing Body rules for each sport.
Athletes train prior to competition.
Qualified coaches train participants.

Special Olympics differs from other Sports Organization:

Sports are adapted to allow athletes of all ability levels to participate
Athletes compete in divisions made up of individuals with equal ability levels. (typically no less than 3 and never more than 8)
All participants receive an award.
Advancement to higher levels of competition (World and National Games) is done by random draw.
Athletes and family members are not charged a fee to participate.

The Spirit of Special Olympics

On her way to the Opening Ceremonies of the first Special Olympics World Games, Eunice Kennedy Shriver wrote the final draft to an athlete oath. In front of many spectators and visitors, Shriver memorably opened the Games with these words: “In ancient Rome, the gladiators went into the arena with these words on their lips:

‘Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.’

“Today, all of you young athletes are in the arena. Many of you will win, but even more important, I know you will be brave, and bring credit to your parents and to your country. Let us being the Olympics. Thank you.”

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