COMPETE FROM HOME
This competition is a safe way for athletes, young athletes/partners, Unified partners and coaches to keep the spirit of Special Olympics Minnesota alive by competing against each other from home! Here’s how it works:
- CHOOSE YOUR ACTIVITIES! Check out all the basketball, gymnastics and track & field activities and practice at home.
- PRACTICE! You can practice and submit your scores for as many events as you want. Keep track of your scores as you go. You have until May 18 to practice and submit your results.
- SUBMIT YOUR RESULTS! Practice all your events first and keep track of your scores as you go. Fill out this form once you are done practicing all your events. Submit your best scores for any or all events. You can also submit a video of yourself practicing or a recording of an encouraging message to share! All qualifying scores from practice are due by Monday, May 18.
Note: In order to follow social distancing and stay at home orders, you should practice and compete in these activities on your own at home; however, virtual interactions with your team through social media, texts or emails are allowed and encouraged! Coaches can still help virtually with explaining practice activities, collecting and submitting scores, and cheering you on.
If you need help or don’t have access to a computer, ask your parent, staff person or coach to help.
Coaches: Do you have athletes who don’t have access to internet but would still like to be a part of Virtual Summer Games? If you’re willing and able to do so safely, please get this printable version of the program (PDF) to your athletes so they can participate and record their results without needed internet or computer access. Print one copy per athlete.
Have other questions or need help submitting your results? Contact us at [email protected].
CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS
Wednesday, May 27 | 7 p.m. | SOMN social media
Once you’ve practiced, competed and submitted your results, join the Special Olympics Minnesota community from across the state to celebrate! All athletes, young athletes/partners, Unified partners, coaches, family members, volunteers and fans are invited to come together virtually to celebrate everyone’s successes and wins in a virtual Summer Games video.
Hear encouraging messages from some familiar faces, see highlights from the virtual season, and find out who won each activity! Tune in to this celebration on Wednesday, May 27, at 7 p.m. on Special Olympics Minnesota’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts as well as our website.
CHOOSE YOUR ACTIVITIES
Click an icon below to see what events are offered.
FAQS
Practice begins on Monday, April 20, 2020. Make sure to submit your results before Monday, May 18. The Virtual Summer Games video will be available on Wednesday, May 27.
Anyone who is currently registered as SOMN athlete, young athlete/partner, Unified partner, coach or Head of Delegation.
Yes! If you’re willing and able to do so safely, please get this printable version of the program (PDF) to your athletes so they can participate and record their results without needing internet or computer access. Print one copy per athlete. After they have competed and recorded their results, you can retrieve and submit their results for them using the online form. Doing this for your athletes would be going above and beyond. Please only do this if you are able to deliver and retrieve the papers safely.
YES! This is open to anyone that is interested and is currently registered as SOMN athlete, young athlete/partner, Unified partner, coach or Head of Delegation.
You’re competing against everyone in the state during the practice season. We’ll division everyone based on their role as an athlete, young athlete/partner, Unified partner or coach as well as their age and results. We’ll present results and awards during the Virtual Summer Games video on May 27.
Our top priority is that everyone is safe and maintains social distancing rules while practicing. Practice at home or in a space that still allows you to follow social distancing rules (you must be six feet away from other individuals).
Many events don’t require any equipment. Some events require a basketball, basketball hoop or tennis ball. Please don’t go out to the store and purchase equipment. Use what you have and don’t be afraid to get creative!
No, but it would be great if you let them know—they might like to cheer you on virtually!
Do I need to fill out any athlete, young athlete/partner, coach or partner paperwork to participate?
No paperwork is required to participate.
No, we understand that everyone is doing their best and everyone’s at home event set up is different than others. We are more interested in everyone participating and giving their honest effort and attempt. The priority is participation and not disqualification.
You can submit your results online. It’s open to anyone who is currently registered as SOMN athlete, young athlete/partner, Unified partner, coach or Head of Delegation.
Submit your events and practice scores in the registration link.
We consulted with our sport specialists in swimming to develop safe and easy events in this sport that athletes could do from home and submit a score, but unfortunately didn’t have any good options.
Yes! You’ll get a digital award in an email the week after Virtual Summer Games.
Yes! To register to be a virtual volunteer and for more information on what this role includes please visit our Volunteer page.
Please contact us at [email protected].
STAY SAFE
Regular physical activity is vital for good physical, social and emotional health. While there is a risk of injury with any type of physical activity, the benefits of staying active far outweigh the risks.
You can reduce your risk of exercise injury by:
- wearing the right shoes
- using the correct equipment
- drinking water and staying hydrated
- warming up and stretching properly
- being aware of your surroundings—always exercise and compete in a safe and level area clear of any obstacles or items
- maintaining social distancing rules (stay at least six feet away from others)
Stop exercising and seek medical help if you experience symptoms such as:
- discomfort or pain
- chest pain or other pain that could indicate a heart attack, including pain in the neck and jaw, pain travelling down the arm or pain between the shoulder blades
- shortness of breath
- a rapid or irregular heartbeat
PRESENTING SPONSORS
AWARDS SPONSOR
