TO PROTECT ATHLETES, SPECIAL OLYMPICS VERMONT CANCELS UPCOMING EVENTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2020
South Burlington, VT – Following steerage from Particular Olympics Worldwide, Particular Olympics Vermont (SOVT) introduced that the upcoming Winter Video games, scheduled for March 22-24 at Killington Pico Resort, in addition to the Unified Champion Faculties Snowshoe Event, scheduled for March 25, are cancelled, in an effort to make sure the well being and security of its athletes, coaches, volunteers, workers and households.
The Southern Vermont Penguin Plunge at Bromley Mountain shall be restructured to permit each a bodily and digital occasion. Extra info relating to this shall be shared at a later date.
Particular Olympics Worldwide’s suggestion was primarily based on info from the Facilities for Illness Management, and the understanding that many Particular Olympics athletes, in addition to some coaches and volunteers are the next danger inhabitants attributable to underlying well being circumstances that contribute to suppressed immune techniques. SOVT additionally consulted with the Vermont Division of Well being and varied well being professionals, and decided that the shut quarters of inside areas and lodging at these occasions would make it troublesome to implement social distancing as really useful by the CDC.
“The well being and security of our athletes, and of the complete Particular Olympics Vermont group is paramount and can’t be compromised,” stated SOVT President & CEO Missy Siner Shea. “It is rather unlucky that, in an abundance of warning, we should cancel occasions that we vastly look ahead to annually.”
Particular Olympics Vermont acknowledges that cancelling these necessary and enjoyable occasions is actually disappointing for the athletes who’ve educated for months to organize for these competitions. Coaches, volunteers, household, associates, and our SOVT workers and board shall be unhappy to overlook the possibility to assist and cheer for them. Nonetheless, the shared love of sport doesn’t evaluate to the significance of defending the well being and security of the Particular Olympics Vermont group.
COVID-19 has a number of implications for SOVT. The monetary affect to a non-profit largely depending on fundraising occasions and philanthropic donations could also be vital. Much more importantly, one of many advantages of Particular Olympics programming is to deliver athletes out of social isolation and into energetic, inclusive communities that promote each bodily and emotional well being. Particular Olympics Vermont encourages athletes to remain energetic and train at dwelling, and is engaged on digital engagement alternatives. Those that wish to ship constructive, uplifting messages to Winter Video games athletes who’re now not capable of compete, are inspired to share their assist through social media by tagging SOVT and utilizing the hashtag #cheer4SOVT, or by emailing [email protected].
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About Particular Olympics Vermont
Particular Olympics Vermont is a part of a world motion that works year-round to foster the inclusion and acceptance of individuals with mental disabilities through the use of the facility of sport to showcase their items and talents. For extra info, go to www.specialolympicsvermont.org.
