Let The Games Begin At The Special Olympics

CANTON (WWJ) - More than 550 athletes from nearly two dozen counties around Michigan will compete during the Special Olympics Michigan 2011 State Summer Sports Classic July 15-16.

This year's tournament will feature the golf competition on Friday at the Pine View Golf Course in Ypsilanti, and the softball competition on Saturday at the Canton Softball Complex in Canton.

Kimberly Purdy, spokesperson for the Special Olympics, says this event is so much more than just a sport.

"We have a whole healthy athletes component where we provide free health screenings for our athletes. And just overall, the program is a chance for unity, a chance for inclusion, it's a great opportunity for athletes and their families to form new friendships and experience joy," Purdy said.

The golf competition will involve a nine-hole course play, including an individual skills contest and a Unified format which involves Special Olympics Michigan athletes participating on the same team with non-Special Olympics Michigan athletes. Unified partners are often family members or friends of athletes competing alongside them.

For more information, directions or schedules for the State Summer Sports Classic, visit www.somi.org.