The Special Olympics of Iowa say they are back to an in-person format for competition! They will be holding events at several different Eastern Iowa locations this spring and summer, according to Iowa's News Now.

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They started with competition in the Area Games this past Tuesday in Humboldt and DeWitt and have the following locations scheduled in the coming weeks:

  • May 13 – Indianola Middle School
  • May 19 – Mount Mercy University
  • May 21 – Harlan Community Schools: Merrill Field
  • May 22 – Muscatine YMCA
  • May 29 – North Scott High School
  • June 5 – Winterset High School
  • June 5 – Dubuque Hempstead High School
  • June 12 – LeMars Community High School
  • July 17 – Cedar Falls High School

According to their website, the Special Olympics are a chance for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and special needs to compete in contests like the 50-meter dash, 100-meter dash, softball throw, standing long jump, and mini javelin throw.

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Dawn Criss, the senior director of sports and programs for Special Olympics told KMEG,

We are thrilled to be offering our athletes an opportunity to begin returning to in-person competition

Last year because of the pandemic, the Special Olympics of Iowa were held virtually with participants taking part in the events individually at home and submitting their results. Criss says that while this year's competitions will not be held in front of spectators, it's a big step in that direction toward returning to full, in-person competition.

There is still a virtual competition this year as well. Learn more here.

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