KIRKSVILLE – Special Ompics Missouri (SOMO) is excited to announce that the 2025 State Summer Games will be held in Kirksville, Missouri, marking the first time this vibrant community will host the event. The games are scheduled to take place at the end of May or early June bringing together athletes, coaches, volunteers, and families from across the state.
“We are excited about connecting with the Kirksville community and Truman State University,” said Larry Linthacum, President & CEO, of Special Olympics Missouri. ” We’re most excited to connect with the Kirksville community and their volunteers as we work together to ensure our athletes have a tremendous championship experience!”
The 2025 State Summer Games will feature an array of sports competitions, including track and field, powerlifting, swimming, and volleyball. Athletes will demonstrate their skills and sportsmanship in a celebration of athletic achievement.
Kirksville’s state-of-the-art facilities and welcoming atmosphere make it an ideal location for the games. “We are both thrilled and honored to host the State Summer Games along with our wonderful Kirksville partners,” said Dr. Susan L. Thomas, Truman State University President. “We look forward to working with the Special Olympics Missouri team to put on the best games yet.”
“We’re elated to bring the Special Olympics Missouri State Summer Games to Kirksville,” said Kirksville Tourism Director Sharon Swehla. “I thank Truman for its collaboration to make this a possibility. I believe this event will make a great impact on Kirksville, and we look forward to ensuring Kirksville makes a great impact as well.”
In addition to the sports competitions, the State Summer Games will include the traditional Opening Ceremony, featuring the Parade of Athletes and the lighting of the Torch. The event will also offer health screenings through SOMO’s Healthy Athletes program, providing essential health services to participating athletes.
SOMO is calling on local businesses, organizations, and community members to get involved by volunteering, sponsoring, or attending the event. “The success of the State Summer Games depends on the support of the community,” said Luke Lamb, Senior Program Director. ” State Summer Games simply does not happen without the help of our amazing volunteers, and lots of them! We hear from our volunteers every year that they get far more out of their volunteering experience than they ever imagined, and the vast majority volunteer at future events.”
Details about the games including sponsorship and volunteer opportunities will be posted at somo.org/summergames.ly
Special Olympics Missouri
Special Olympics Missouri is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Thousands of athletes participate in 13 Olympic-type sports throughout the state. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their fellow athletes, their family and friends and communities across Missouri.
Special Olympics Missouri is proud of our financial health, returning 82% of every dollar back to program services. We are privileged to be recognized with these honors: Better Business Bureau A+ Charity Accreditation, Charity Navigator 4-star rating and Guidestar Gold Level. Special Olympics was also recently named Morning Consult’s No. 4 most trusted nonprofit.
Thank you for trusting us with your donations, volunteer time and your goodwill.
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