By WMBD-TV

NORMAL – The chase for the gold begins at Hancock Stadium this weekend.

The Special Olympics start their Summer Games off Friday with more than 3,000 athletes and Unified partners participating in the the three-day event at Illinois State University.

Athletes will compete in a variety of events including athletics, traditional and unified bocce, powerlifting, soccer, swimming, artistic gymnastics, and rhythmic gymnastics.

The opening ceremony which starts at 8 p.m. Friday at Hancock will culminate with the finish of the annual Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run where hundreds of officers will enter the stadium and the torch will be lit.

Michelle Mayer, a spokeswoman for the Special Olympics, said a lot of hard work goes into the event.

“I mean, it’s more than just the Summer Games,” she said. “We’re very excited about that, but it’s year long competition and training. It’s professional and leadership development. It’s health education for both the athletes and the clinicians we work with.

“So we’re just really excited to have everybody in town, and, you know, see who takes home the gold,” Mayer said.

Along with the games being a competition, Mayer believes it is a time for the community to come together.

“It’s a great community event. We look forward to about 15,000 people coming to town. That includes families, athletes, coaches, volunteers and fans in the stands. We’re really excited to see everybody there,”

The games conclude on Sunday at the Horton Fieldhouse and Hancock Stadium.

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