Blue Valley Special Olympics is sending four athletes and two coaches to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs in Orlando, Fla. Jennifer Jennings, Pat Brown, Alison Brown, and Michael Kanter were chosen to compete in the games June 5-12 while Sid and Nan Kanter will serve as coaches.
More than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 stats and the Caribbean will thrill an anticpated 125,000 spectators in 17 sports and the Blue Valley Blue Streaks participants are entered in four of those sports. Jennings will compete in bowling at the Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center. Alison Brown will swim at the Rosen Aquatic Center. Pat Brown is scheduled to compete in athletics (track & field) at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex. Michael Kanter will play tennis at the USTA National Campus. Blue Valley Rec Special Pops/Special Olympics Coordinator Nana Kanter is serving as a coach for bowling while her husband Sid is a coach for tennis.
The group flew out the morning of June 4 in preparation for the Opening Ceremony at Exploria Stadium, produced by Disney Live Entertainment. The Ceremony includes more than 500 performers, plus a special live performance by Grammy Award-winning artist Sara Bareilles. ESPN, the global broadcast partner of Special Olympics and the USA Games, will air the Ceremony at noon EST on ABC and on WatchESPN and ESPN the app
USA Games unites more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean as well as125,000 spectators during one of the country’s most cherished sporting events. We all have reasons to shine. For Special Olympics athletes, one of those reasons is the love of sport. Special Olympics athletes display remarkable abilities not only on the field, but in all areas of life. By celebrating their dedication and perseverance, we become champions for a more inclusive world. A world where we all Shine As One.