By Blake Haas

NORMAL – Thousands plan to flock to the twin cities to attend the three-day Special Olympic Summer Games.

Around 15,000 are planned to attend the games, which feature 13 state sports competitions.

The competitions will take place primarily at Illinois State University, with host sites at Grossinger Motors Arena, Normal Community High School, and Kingsley Junior High.

“Our vision really is in addition to sports, is to promotion inclusion, so that we have people with and without disabilities really integrated into the community,” Pete Beale Del Vecchio, Special Olympics Illinois President and Chief Executive Officer told WJBC’s Scott Miller.

‘That’s really what we are about; as a movement not only here in Illinois but across the world.”

The three-day games kick off with a welcoming ceremony Friday night at Hancock Stadium on ISU’s campus.

“Every hotel, all of the restaurants get that impact of us bringing 15,000 people to the area,” Del Vecchio added. “So the businesses love it and they are all super supportive. We have a number of the restaurants are big supporters and sponsors for us.”

More than 3,000 athletes participate in the three-day event.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].