The National Summer Games will be held for the second time in Sheffield this year after it was first held in the city in 1993.
Entry is free to the public and events will take place all around the city of Sheffield, with much of the action taking place on the Olympic Legacy Park (OLP) in Attercliffe.
Badminton, Judo, Table Tennis, Motor Activity Training Program, and Young Athletes ‘Come & Try’ will all be held at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield (EISS), and Gym Rhythmic and Gym Artistic will both be held at iceSheffield.
Olympic Legacy Park Project Lead and former Minister of Sport, Richard Caborn, said: “To see the OLP play host to Special Olympics GB’s 2017 National Summer Games – the 10th in history of the organisation – is truly an honour. This will be another milestone in the development of the biggest Olympic legacy project outside of London and we very much look forward to welcoming the athletes, family members, coaches, volunteers and everyone involved in what will be a hugely memorable event.”
Paul Hudson, General Manager of EIS Sheffield, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone down to the English Institute of Sport Sheffield for the Special Olympics. It’s an outstanding event which we’re very proud to be part of. We always enjoy hosting top quality sport and this summer will be no different.”
Chris Hull of Special Olympics GB said: “With almost 1.5 million people in the UK having an intellectual disability, we are thrilled to be able to bring Special Olympics GB’s showpiece domestic event, the National Summer Games, to a city with such a proud sporting heritage as Sheffield.
“The six month count down has now begun and we’re expecting around 2,600 athletes, 500 voluntary coaches, 800 volunteers and 5,000 family members to Sheffield in August.”
Special Olympics GB is the largest registered charity providing year-round sports training and competition opportunities for people with intellectual (learning) disabilities, and the games give athletes with an intellectual (learning) disability the opportunity to achieve and to demonstrate their abilities to the community.
A list of the 20 sports and 12 venues at Special Olympics 2017 National Games include:
Football -Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park
Athletics -Sheffield Hallam University City Athletics Centre
Swimming -Ponds Forge International Sports Centre
Boccia – Ponds Forge International Sports Centre
Badminton – English Institute of Sport Sheffield
Table Tennis – English Institute of Sport Sheffield
Judo – English Institute of Sport Sheffield
Young Athletes ‘Come & Try’ – English Institute of Sport Sheffield
Powerlifting – Forge Valley Community School
Motor Activity Training Program – English Institute of Sport Sheffield
Gym Rhythmic – iceSheffield
Gym Artistic – iceSheffield
Golf – Rother Valley Golf Club
Sailing – Pugneys Watersports Centre & Country Park
Basketball – All Saints Sports Centre
Netball – All Saints Sports Centre
Short Mat Bowls – Graves Health and Sports Centre
Tennis – Graves Health and Sports Centre
Ten Pin Bowling – Hollywood Bowl
Cycling – Forge Valley Community School
Equestrian – Parklands Equestrian Centre
Indoor Bowls – Doncaster Indoor Bowls Club
For more information regarding the Games, visit: http://sheffield2017.org.uk/
