Walt Disney World Is Official Host Of 2022 Special Olympics USA Games!

Walt Disney World Resort Will Serve As Official Host Of 2022 Special Olympics USA Games

On Thursday August 9, 2019, Walt Disney World announced that they will serve as the official host of the 2022 Special Olympic USA Games, which will take place at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex! These games will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics in Florida. An event of this scale happens because of thousands of dedicated volunteers who are passionate supporters and super fans, which is why Disney is also proud to be the Presenting Partner of the 2022 USA Games Volunteer Program. 

In 2016, the Walt Disney World’s ESPN facilities hosted the Invictus Games for injured military veterans and active duty personnel from around the glob. Orlando beat out five other cities to host the Special Olympics USA Games, held every four years for North American athletes.

Thursday, August 8, 2019, Aug. 08, 2019 the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Organizing Committee unveiled its logo for the 2022 USA Games during a celebration ceremony at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. The logo – for the first time in the Games’ history – was inspired and designed by nine artistic and talented Special Olympics athletes.

The nine athletes included: Aarushi Pratap (Fashion Design, Tampa, Fla.), Andrew Weatherly (Abstract Painting, Closter, N.J.), Caroline Shin (Web Design, Tallahassee, Fla.), Coby Fineran (Drawing, Manning, Iowa), Haley Waggoner (Cake Decorating, Lincoln, Neb.), Lee Savage (Drawing, Lake Worth, Fla.), Mariah Gilbert (Drawing, Spokane, Wash.), Marta Páramo (Painting, Miami, Fla.) and Patrice Jetter (Graphic Design, Hamilton, N.J.).

“This logo tells a story of how a combined passion for sports, perseverance and art can literally come to life on a blank canvas,” said Joe Dzaluk, President & CEO of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. “These incredible athletes used their unique talents to inspire and design an iconic image for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games brand, and it proved to be more meaningful than any of us could have ever imagined.”

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

The Special Olympics was founded in 1968, fostering acceptance and inclusion of all people through the power of sports, people with intellectual disabilities discover strengths and abilities, skills and success. They also inspire people in their communities and elsewhere to open their hearts to a wider world of human talents and potential.Special Olympics strives to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people

The Special Olympics holds a special part in my heart, my older sister Julie Jacobsen participated for years in Special Olympics Utah Team named the “Panthers.” There, I saw how truly remarkable the Special Olympics is and the wonderful volunteers who help make it happen. Hopefully soon, my son Brayden will be able to participate.

Even though 2022 seems a long way off, we’re excited to see that this event will take place at Walt Disney World! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! 

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