2022 SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES
JUNE 6
OPENING CEREMONY
On Sunday, June 5, Team Special Olympics North Carolina attended the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Opening Ceremony at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, emceed by ABC's Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes. Featuring coverage of 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean, more than 25,000 attendees enjoyed performances from musician Sara Bareilles and Disney entertainers.
Following the Opening Ceremony, athletes, Unified partners and coaches attended a lunch at Orlando's Amway Center. The day's entertainment continued with a surprise performance from the Harlem Globetrotters. Team SONC athletes ran into a few of the Globetrotters on their way back to the hotel! Our basketball teams could teach them a thing or two...
MAN JACKSON
Man Jackson celebrated a very special birthday on Sunday, June 5, complete with a song celebration from his Team SONC delegation. Jackson will compete in Unified basketball during the USA Games!
"It means the world to me. I can show others who are like me to shoot for the stars. You can do this. I've done it and I’m going to show you that you can believe in yourself to do this like I did." - Man Jackson
TEAM SONC SENDOFF
Textron Aviation customer and Special Olympics supporter Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc., with the call sign "Dove 1," was the first aircraft to land at the Orlando Executive Airport on Saturday, June 4, which transported members of Team SONC, including athletics athlete Kelsey Leyton.
Her personal goals going into the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games are to “get a gold medal and be a leader for my team.”
“Running is fun, it’s outside,” said Leyton!
FINAL LEG
Captain Michael Patterson of the Holly Springs Police Department represented North Carolina in the Final Leg of the multi-state, two-week tour of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR). Patterson joined law enforcement officers and athletes in carrying the torch from Chicago, Illinois, the birthplace of Special Olympics, to Orlando, Florida, for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Opening Ceremony on Sunday, June 5.
“I really don’t have words,” said Patterson. “I can’t find the words to describe what an awesome honor it is to represent law enforcement and these athletes.”
TEAM SONC PHOTO GALLERY
"My favorite part of the day was basketball (Harlem Globetrotters). It was really fun!" - Chloe Huggins, athlete (athletics)
"I liked to see the characters from Opening Ceremony. Mickey and Minnie are my favorite!" - Paige Soderman, athlete (soccer)
"The flight to Orlando was AWESOME! I was nervous but it was a very smooth ride! Thanks to Textron Aviation for their support." - Heather Glazer, coach (equestrian)
