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Special Olympics Michigan Winter Games Start Wednesday

ACME TWP. (WWJ/AP) - About 800 competitors are heading to the Traverse City area for the Special Olympics' 2012 State Winter Games.

Competition starts Wednesday at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, Shanty Creek Resort, and Howe Ice Arena at the Grand Traverse Civic Center.

The Traverse City Record-Eagle says 600 coaches, chaperones and volunteers also are participating.

Events include alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, figure skating and speed skating. One snowshoe athlete and one cross country skiing athlete will earn a spot to compete at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Korea.

Organizers say the public is invited to attend events throughout the competition, including the opening ceremonies that start at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Grand Traverse County's Acme Township.

The closing ceremony starts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the resort. Find more information at www.somi.org.

TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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