Providing year-round sports training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities continues to be the long-standing tradition of Special Olympics. Locally, in Warren County the program is partnering with the Warren County YMCA to continue bringing the opportunities of developing physical fitness, demonstrating courage, and sharing those joys and skills with friends and family, shares Cathy Betar:
“In 1973 was the first track meet here, so a long history in Warren County. Warren County was very fortunate that some very influential business people in town had children with disabilities, way back in the mid-50s and early 60s, and the community came together and rallied around individuals with disabilities, hence Warren Achievement was started, and Special Olympics was right there alongside them. We are excited to partner with the YMCA for this program. We offer year-round sports training and competition for our athletes. They get to travel all over the state, and we do have one of the best programs in the state of Illinois for Special Olympics.”
The Special Olympic Athletes competing in Warren County are a part of the Warren County Falcons.
