Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) will proudly host the 2019 Special Olympics BYBS School Games from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at its San Jacinto Campus, 1499 N. State St.
“We look forward to hosting Special Olympics at MSJC,” said Dr. Roger Schultz, Superintendent/President of Mt. San Jacinto College. “MSJC is dedicated to partnerships like this with our local K-12 partners and the Special Olympics so we can contribute to the achievements of all of our students. We look forward to seeing the student-athletes compete and shine at this event.”
More than 330 Special Olympics athletes from elementary, middle and high schools in the Banning, Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint, Beaumont and San Jacinto (BYBS) unified school districts are scheduled to participate in 14 track and field events, including standing long jump, relays, tennis ball throw, and 50M wheelchair race, or Unified Team Bocce at the college’s Carl Quandt Stadium.
“This is the third year our San Jacinto High students are participating in the games, and the second year for our middle schools to join in,” said Diane Perez, Superintendent of San Jacinto Unified School District. “I know our students train and work hard to be competitive and show their track and field skills. I know that the smiles on the students’ faces as they cross the finish line and receive a medal will be priceless.”
The Opening Ceremonies will begin at 9:10 a.m. with the Parade of Athletes. Competition and awards will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Athletes train in their sport within their school day leading up to the competition and are placed into divisions based on age, gender, and ability.
Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities with 4.4 million athletes in 170 countries – and millions more volunteers and supporters. The School Games event provides training and competitive sports options to elementary, middle and high school special education students. It encourages youth participation, inclusion, and leadership in local schools and prepares school-age students for participation in Special Olympics Southern California sports opportunities beyond the school day.
The mission of Special Olympics Southern California is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympics-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
