Opening ceremonies mark start of Special Olympics PA’s Summer Games at Penn State
By CDT staff reports
University Park
More than 2,000 athletes will compete through Saturday at Special Olympics PA’s Summer Games, which officially kicked off Thursday evening with opening ceremonies.
The opening ceremonies at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park were held in partnership with the State College Spikes and included an action sports demo by professional athletes and the lighting of the Olympic Torch.
Hundreds of volunteers are on hand to support the athletes throughout the three-day event. Special Olympics Pennsylvania provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, and the Summer Games is the largest statewide competition.
Preliminary competitions were held Thursday afternoon at University Park, and competitions continue Friday and Saturday at various locations across campus. Special Olympics PA athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, basketball, equestrian, tennis and gymnastics.
In addition to the sporting events, Special Olympics PA athletes are also offered free health screenings and educational events throughout the weekend, according to a press release.
Friday competitions start at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m., and events on Saturday are from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., when awards will be held.
Centre County athletes and coaches cheer during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics PA Summer Games on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Medlar Field. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
A Centre County athlete waves and dances during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics PA Summer Games on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Medlar Field. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Special Olympics athlete Rachel Beard interviews Penn State women’s volleyball coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley during the Special Olympics PA Summer Games opening ceremony on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Medlar Field. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Athletes and coaches play a game trying to keep a beach ball out of their section during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics PA Summer Games on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Medlar Field. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Centre County athlete Liam Loop dances during the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics PA Summer Games on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Medlar Field. Loop will compete in basketball. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Athletes from Montgomery County dance during the Special Olympics PA Summer Games opening ceremony on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Medlar Field. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s president and CEO Matt Aaron speaks during the opening ceremony for the summer game on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Medlar Field. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Three River Region athlete Nancy Grimm and Monroeville Police Department Officer Pierre DeFelice carry the flame of hope into the Medlar Field to light the cauldron for the Special Olympics PA Summer Games on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Three River Region athlete Nancy Grimm and Monroeville Police Department Officer Pierre DeFelice light the cauldron for the Special Olympics PA Summer Games on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Three River Region athlete Nancy Grimm and Monroeville Police Department Officer Pierre DeFelice light the cauldron for the Special Olympics PA Summer Games on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Athletes and coaches fill the stands for the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics PA Summer Games on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Medlar Field. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
