Special Olympians compete in ‘Virtual Games’Special Olympics International and Special Olympics USA both have literally "shut down" all competition and training until this pandemic is over -Tim Schriver, USA Director, announced at the beginning that Special Olympic ahletes will not compete until other sporting organizations completely "open up"!Thisresulted inalltraining and competitions to becancelled until 2021 -and may be longer until there isa vaccine.It is very difficult to do "social distancing" while playing basketball, softball,poly hockey -allteam sports in which our athletes excelLocally, the Special Olympians have a coach who is on staff at Washington Ranch and she helped herresidents in the competition.Theycontacted the "town athletes" and we had a few of them compete.So, the New Mexico chapter as well as others set up "virtual games" for our athletes.They could competein three eventswhich included:general fitnessvolleyball eventsbocce eventsoftball eventathletics events (running, softball throw, standing long jumpsEach athlete receiveda medal especially designed for this virtual event and a t-shirt.LT. David Testa, Regional Director of New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run, awarding medals to Carlsbad athletes -Special Olympics NM Virtual Games -Caitlin House, Katie Pierce, Jeremy Easterling, James Munoz; with Chris Page, Special Olympics NM Director of Sports and Training
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