Since the first Special Olympics World Games were held in Chicago, Illinois, USA in July 1968, the event has grown to become one of the world's leading athletic events. Every two years, thousands of Special Olympics athletes from around the world come together to showcase their athletic skills and celebrate the spirit of Special Olympics.

Alternating between Summer and Winter Games, the Special Olympics World Games is a world-class sporting event featuring intense competition and inspiring performances by the great athletes of Special Olympics.

2011 World Summer Games!

The 2011 World Summer Games were held in Athens, Greece from June 25 - July 4.  Special Olympics North Dakota was represented by Jennifer Bennett of Valley City who competed in athletics and Cindy Schopper of Valley City who was an assistant athletics coach for Special Olympics Team USA.

 

 

Jennifer Bennett, Valley City, has participated in Special Olympics for 3 years, competing in athletics, basketball, soccer and bowling.  She is proud of being a survivor of childhood Leukemia.

"I go for my dream because I believe in myself. Before Special Olympics I was never able to participate in sports. Now I get to participate in running events, javelin, basketball and soccer, and meet new friends," said Jennifer.

She enjoys ventriloquism, singing, acting, writing stories, listening to books on tape and collecting Beanie Babies.

 

Bennett's World Games results

Jennifer returned home with some great memories, new friends and a bronze medal (800M run), a 4^th place ribbon (400M run) and a silver medal (4x400M relay). Bennett was among a group of more than three hundred athletes who represented the United States at the Games. 

 

 

Cindy Schopper, Valley City, has been involved in Special Olympics for 23 years and is currently the vocational supervisor for the Open Door Center in Valley City.  For the 2011 World Summer Games she will be a coach for Athletics. 

She has attended many World and National Games: 1995, 1999 and 2003 World Games as athletics coach; 2001, 2005 and 2009 World Games as snowshoeing coach; and 2006 and 2010 National Games as athletics coach.  She coaches soccer, bowling, basketball, snowshoeing and powerlifting.

Cindy is proud of participating in a marathon and being inducted into Special Olympics North Dakota's Hall of Fame.  Special Olympics "has afforded me the opportunity to meet and coach some very talented athletes. It has given me a chance to witness some awesome athletic efforts."

Cindy enjoys outdoor activities, biking, snowshoeing, hiking and fishing. She is a huge Wisconsin sports fan - Packers, Brewers, Badgers and Bucks. "I guess born a Cheesehead, always a Cheesehead" she says.