Nike hosts Special Olympics Oregon Youth Games

Thirty-four athletes from Beaverton and nine from Aloha took part in the 2012 Special Olympics Youth Games on Saturday at the Nike World Headquarters.

This unique event was designed to introduce young people with intellectual disabilities and their families to the Special Olympics experience.

Several Olympic and Paralympic athletes took part in the celebration, including three-time Olympic gold medalist in beach volleyball Misty May-Treanor, Beaverton’s own Olympic gold medalist fencer Mariel Zagunis and wheelchair rugby Paralympic gold medalist Will Groulx.

More than 500 Special Olympics Oregon athletes and their families spent the day in Beaverton to attend the half-day program of instruction and competition in track and field, basketball, swimming and soccer.

Participants also received free on-site health and wellness services such as sports physical exams and nutrition, dental and hearing screenings.

The day culminated with closing ceremonies at each sport venue, where each young athlete received an award and recognition.

“These young people represent the future of Special Olympics,” said Margaret Hunt, CEO of Special Olympics Oregon. “With Nike’s generous support, our outreach to youth and their families is meeting with great success and allowing us to expand our reach into the communities we serve.

More than 400 Nike volunteers staffed the sporting event.

“As a longtime partner of Special Olympics Oregon, Nike is proud to celebrate the amazing achievements of an incredible group of young athletes,” said Elliott Hill, Nike’s vice president and general manager of North America. “We are honored to again host the Special Olympics Oregon Youth Games.”

Nike and Special Olympics Oregon started the Youth Games in 2007.