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Special Olympics State Summer Games return to Great Falls

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GREAT FALLS – On Tuesday, Special Olympics Montana gathered to celebrate the return of the State Summer Games to Great Falls.

The games will be May 14-17 in various locations throughout Great Falls. The 2019 games mark the second year of the games’ three-year run in the Electric City.

More than 1,200 athletes, 200 unified partners, 500 coaches and chaperones, plus hundreds of families and friends from across Montana will attend to watch the athletes compete in 10 different Olympic-type sports, including bocce, track and field, kayaking, golf, powerlifting, gymnastics, soccer and more.

It takes more than 2,000 volunteers to put on the State Summer Games. Everyone is encouraged to volunteer.

Sports knowledge is not needed for most volunteer positions. Volunteers help with everything from scoring bocce, timing at track and field, or scoring golf.

For a full list of volunteer opportunities, visit the Special Olympics Montana’s website.

Special Olympics Montana gives individuals with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to compete in a wide variety of Olympic-type sports while building life skills on and off the playing field.

The Games are open to competitors of all ability levels. Athletes have a chance to qualify for USA and World Games.

Reporting by Joe Huisinga for MTN News