First Day of Special Olympics Minnesota's 2009 Summer Games

Between events, athletes will have the chance to spend time in Olympic Town, opening at noon today. Among the activities offered is Healthy Athletes, a free health screening initiative designed to increase the health and fitness of people with intellectual disabilities, a medically underserved population. The Healthy Athletes program works to improve access to health care by providing free screenings, making referrals to local health practitioners and training health professionals and students about the needs of people with intellectual disabilities. The 2009 Healthy Athletes Village will offer seven screenings throughout Summer Games, including Healthy Hearing, Fit Feet and Health Fair through 4 p.m. today.

In case of inclement weather, track and field competition continues in light rain but may be delayed or cancelled if there is a heavy downpour, lightning, high winds or other severe weather. Gymnastics and volleyball competitions are held indoors and will proceed regardless of weather. Tennis competition will go forward in dry weather but will be delayed or cancelled if there is rain.

For more information, visit Special Olympics Minnesota's Web site at www.specialolympicsminnesota.org.

Special Olympics Minnesota offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round sports training and competition. Through Special Olympics' athletic, health and leadership programs, people with intellectual disabilities transform themselves, their communities and the world.

                                2009 Summer Games
                               Schedule of Events

    Thursday, June 18
    University of Minnesota Bierman Athletics Complex
    -- Track and Field Competition                       11:30 a.m. -3 p.m.
    -- Olympic Town                                           Noon - 4 p.m.
    -- Healthy Athletes Village
         Healthy Hearing                                      Noon - 3 p.m.
        Health Fair                                           Noon - 3 p.m.
        Fit Feet                                              Noon - 4 p.m.

    Friday, June 19
    University of Minnesota Bierman Athletics Complex
    -- Track and Field Competition                       8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    -- Olympic Town                                         9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    -- Healthy Athlete Village
         FUNfitness                                         9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
         Special Smiles                                     9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
         Health Fair                                        9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
         Opening Eyes                                       9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
         Healthy Hearing                                   10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
         Blood Glucose Screening                        10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
    Mini-Hops Gymnastics Club, Minnetonka
    -- Rhythmic Gymnastics Competition                     2:30 - 5:30 p.m.
    University of Minnesota Bierman Field
    -- Pre-Ceremonies Entertainment                           5 - 7:20 p.m.
    -- Celebration Ceremonies                              7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

    Saturday, June 20
    University of Minnesota Bierman Athletics Complex
    -- Track and Field Competition                    8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
    -- Olympic Town                                         9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
    Healthy Athletes Village
        Opening Eyes                                          9 a.m. - noon
        Blood Glucose Screening                               9 a.m. - noon
        MedFest                                             9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
        Health Promotion                                    9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
        Health Fair                                         9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
    University of Minnesota Recreation Center (3rd Floor)
    -- Volleyball Competition                               9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    Baseline Tennis Center
    -- Tennis Competition                                   9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    Mini-Hops Gymnastics Club, Minnetonka
    -- Artistic Gymnastics Competition                     2:30 - 5:30 p.m.