Special Olympics Oregon cancels state games for third year

Video Credit: KEZI
Published on February 26, 2020 -

Special Olympics Oregon cancels state games for third year

While there are no plans for state games, athletes are still competing regionally.


Special Olympics Oregon cancels state games for third year

Athletes will have to wait at least another year to compete in the state games.

The state organization is bouncing back from a financial crisis and hasn't held state games since 2017.

As kezi 9 news reporter michael sevren shows us -- some parents and athletes are hoping to get chance to play soon.

Stand up earlier this month the community jumped into the frigid waters of the willamette river here at maurie jacobs park to raise money for the special olympics.

But ceo britt oase, says they still don't have enough money to put on the state games.

Parents and athletes tell me they're heartbroken by the news.

For years... eric nielsen has taken part at the special olympic summer state games -- playing bocce ball.

But eric and athletes around the state will have to wait at least another year to compete at the state level.

Oase, tells me when she came on as ceo in 2018, the organization was in financial ruin with 2 and a half million dollars in debt.

She says they've been working to keep the athletes playing at a regional level.

But, eric's mom, janine tells me the state games are something special... that brings tears of joy to her eyes.

It's like any kind of olympics where people celebrate they have fun families get together, volunteers, it's just a wonderful celebration and affirmation of life.

Oase say this year's polar plunge events have exceeded their goal of 4 hundred and fifty thousand dollars -- and every cent will go to support their programs. she's hoping it will be enough to hold state games next year..

But, it could take a little longer.

Stand up: oase tells me they understand just how important the state games are to so many, and they're making progress in getting out of this financial crisis.

That's a story i'm working on for 5:00.

In eugene, m.s.

Kezi

You are here

You might like