WAUKESHA — Thousands of Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes, coaches, volunteers, and fans will converge on Carroll University in Waukesha for the 50th Anniversary Celebration Games July 29-31. This year’s event, which merges Special Olympics Wisconsin’s annual Outdoor State Games and Summer Games, welcomes statewide qualifying competitors in Athletics (Track & Field), Bocce, Softball, Swimming, and Tennis.

Complementing and mirroring the Saturday-to-Sunday competition slate, four Healthy Athletes disciplines will also welcome hundreds of SOWI delegates throughout the weekend. Healthy Hearing featuring HEAR Wisconsin’s Mobile Audiology Clinic, Opening Eyes, and Special Smiles presented by Delta Dental of Wisconsin will take place Saturday with Health Promotion and a foot health station occurring Sunday. All health screenings across all disciplines are free and available to all SOWI athletes. Additionally, AMI Expeditionary Healthcare will host a COVID Education Station & Vaccine Clinic Saturday and Sunday. 

To fully celebrate 50 Years of Changing Lives, Special Olympics Wisconsin adds a series of inclusive and family-friendly events open to the community. A Parade of Athletes showcasing qualifying programs from across the state will kick off Friday night, followed by the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg and Opening Ceremony presented by Keep Calm. Victory Village presented by Princeton Club will host local vendors, sponsors, demonstrations, and SOWI unified activities throughout Saturday and Sunday. And Saturday evening, DJ Shawna, official DJ and producer of the Milwaukee Bucks, will close out the “Day of Inclusion” at the Victory Jubilee — free to the public with suggested donation at the gate. 

The full schedule of events, venues, and a link to get involved can be found at SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org.

This is truly a Special Year for Special Olympics Wisconsin. Fifty years ago, it set out to create a more accepting world for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). Now, SOWI is one of Wisconsin’s premier sports organizations, eliminating barriers and providing inclusive opportunity and support for athletes with ID as a leader in the community and the Authority of Inclusion.