Special Olympics Utah walks in the 2022 Opening Ceremony

Part of the Special Olympics Utah Team competing in the 2022 USA Games. Photo: Special Olympics of Utah (Facebook)

ORLANDO, Fla. — The 52-athlete delegation representing Special Olympics Utah (SOUT) walked in the Opening Ceremony on Sunday at the Special Olympics USA Games 2022 in Orlando, FL. The event has 4,000 total athletes spreading the message of, as the live TV announcer dubbed it, the “inclusion revolution.”

Although the SOUT is based out of Salt Lake City, Park City’s National Ability Center consistently trains athletes who participate in the Special Olympics.

The Park City M.A.R.C. hosts an annual fundraiser Polar Plunge for SOUT.

President of Special Olympics USA, Tim Shriver, a frequent visitor to Park City, was in attendance at the Opening Ceremony. Also there was football player Tim Tebow as a part of the broadcast team and athlete Ellie Spieth, sister of professional golfer Jordan Spieth.

Four new sports were added to the 2022 Summer Games; Cheerleading, Surfing, Western Equestrian, and Open Water Swimming.

The fact that the events have no gender or age delineations is highlighted by the presence of the oldest athlete, “Jersey Joey” Joey Kleppinger, part of the 184-member New Jersey delegation, who is 74 years old and has been competing in the sport of bowling since he was six. Texas brought one of the largest delegations of 339 athletes.

One of the major themes of the Games is the win-win of adoption.

Free full health screenings including hearing, vision, and dental are a welcome part of the event for all involved.