‘The joy of competition’ returns as Special Olympics holds first in-person invitational after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

SYCAMORE – For the first time in more than a year, Marc Johnson was able to see joy on the faces of the athletes he coaches.

Johnson is the coach of Opportunity House’s Special Olympics program, and his athletes participated in Special Olympics Illinois Region A’s Bocce Invitation held Wednesday evening at Four Seasons Sports in Sycamore.

The competition was the first invitational since the COVID-19 pandemic began in spring 2020.

“It’s so great to see the smiles on their faces, the joy of participating in a competition again,” Johnson said. “Special Olympics gives its athletes physical exercise, the opportunity to build friendships among team members and other teams, socialization, confidence in themselves and the spirit of competition, where they’re doing their best to win the match.”

Twenty-one athletes total participated from two local organizations, Opportunity House and Kishwauke Special Recreation Association.

“Our athletes are so excited to be back,” Region A Director Debbie Kelly said. “They’ve had several weeks of in-person practice and training before today’s invitation.”

The invitation is the start of Special Olympics’ seasonal sports. Summer sports will include bowling, golf, baseball and softball; fall sports will include bowling, soccer and volleyball; winter will feature snowshoeing and basketball and spring offers bocce, track and field and swimming.

Linda Austin volunteered to be a judge for the invitation because her 26-year-old son Josh Beamish participated in the event.

“He’s just so excited to getting back to sports,” Austin said. “It teaches him sportsmanship, socialization skills, and he can make new friends and meet new people. He’s been in Special Olympics for eight years, and it’s changed his life. I don’t think he’d have the opportunity to participate in these sports or activities otherwise.”

Frank Slowinski of Sycamore has participated in Special Olympics for about 25 years. He has won the gold medal in bocce seven times at state.

“I like bocce ball because it’s a lot of fun, and I like to compete in sports because [participants in] the competition are my friends,” he said.

Jacob Collingbourne of Genoa has participated in Special Olympics for about 14 years, and he said what he likes most about it is “getting together with people.”

“It felt empty this past year without Special Olympics,” he said. “There was not much to do without the sports I play. I look forward to sports because it’s good exercise and there’s a thrill and excitement. I’ve really missed it.”

A Special Olympics softball tournament will be held in Elgin at the end of July. A soccer invitational will be held Aug. 7 at Kiwanis Park in DeKalb.

For information about Special Olympics Illinois, visit www.soill.org.