PHOTO GALLERY | 'Excited to participate': Special Olympics Pa. Winter Games get underway at Seven Springs
· Yahoo Sports
SEVEN SPRINGS, Pa. – This year’s Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs Mountain Resort is coinciding with the XXV Olympic Winter Games in Italy.
So athletes, coaches, organizers and supporters spent time watching the best winter athletes in the world on television before participating in the SOPA event that started Tuesday.
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“I think the Olympics raises the excitement in general for everybody,” SOPA President and CEO Matt Aaron said. “It’s a minute in time.
“But while the attention is certainly on the games in Italy, there’s no place like Seven Springs for the joy that’s going to happen on this mountain.
“Italy’s games might be bigger, but the joy this week is here at Seven Springs with our athletes. They’ve trained. They’ve worked hard. And now they have the chance to come out here and show what they can do.”
PHOTO GALLERY | Special Olympics PA. Winter Games kick off with polar plunge, opening ceremonies
About 300 athletes will be competing in snowshoeing and skiing Wednesday and Thursday.
They participated Tuesday in a reception and opening ceremony with a parade of athletes, speeches, music and a torch lighting.
“They are all very excited to participate. … It’s all about them, to get them out and enjoy it,” said Karen Hogan, head coach of the Cambria County team. “It’s a privilege for us as coaches to be out here to enjoy it with them.”
Brian Wiesinger, a Cambria County athlete, said the gathering is “all about family.”
“We’re just like brothers, sisters, basically,” Wiesinger said.
Numerous law enforcement officers participated in the activities, including a fundraiser polar plunge.
Port Authority of Allegheny County Police Lt. Rob DiPippa said supporting Special Olympics gives officers a chance to be “caring and giving” and show the “softer side to us.”
DiPippa became involved in Special Olympics to support his niece, who has Down syndrome.
“It’s great to see the smiles on their faces and the joy it brings,” said DiPippa, who took a polar plunge. “It brings everyone together in the community.”
Vail Resorts, which owns Seven Springs, provides free lift tickets, passes, rental equipment and training opportunities, totaling more than $90,000 of products and services.
Seven Springs employees also give assistance to the athletes and guests over the two days.
The resort has hosted the Pennsylvania games since 2015.
“This is the staff and employees’ favorite event all year long,” said Brett Cook, Seven Springs’ vice president and general manager. “We are honored to have it every year.”