2018 Special Olympics USA Games Announces New Partnerships

March 20, 2018 Rachel McQuiston

ATLAS Workbase, Comcast, Finish Line Youth Foundation, Hasbro, MTRWestern, PACCAR, United Airlines and Western Washington Toyota Dealers Association Join Growing List of Partners for 2018 USA Games

SEATTLE – March 20, 2018 – The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games (www.SpecialOlympicsUSAGames.com) announced today new support from a growing team of corporate and community partners. From July 1-6, more than 4,000 Special Olympics athletes, coaches and delegates from across the U.S., along with tens of thousands of volunteers and spectators, will gather in Seattle for six days of special events and competition in 14 individual and team sports.

“The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will be one of the biggest and most significant events in Seattle history, and an event of this magnitude would be near impossible without the help of the business community,” said Beth Knox, president and CEO, 2018 Special Olympics USA Games. “Our partners and their employees have gone above and beyond in their commitments to the USA Games, and we are truly amazed at their incredible support.”

#ImAGameChanger - Bill Herman

March 14, 2018 Rachel McQuiston

By: Rebekah Schilperoort

A few years ago, it was difficult for Bill Herman to imagine taking on a volunteer role. But everything changed during a 2015 work trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, for the Special Olympics African Regional Athlete Congress, as part of the multi-year partnership between Special Olympics International and Microsoft.

Bill was there to film an ad highlighting how Microsoft's Cloud technology empowers Special Olympics to manage data for their 4.9 million athletes. He attended the event's opening ceremony and exhibition games.

"It was incredibly moving – what really hit me was how much of an impact it had on me," Bill said.

#ImAGameChanger - Nihan Uslu

March 7, 2018 Rachel McQuiston

By: USA Games Correspondent, tynan gable

Loyal, dedicated, persistent; these are just a few words that come to mind when hearing the words “game changer”. These same words perfectly describe Nihan Uslu, this week’s nominee for the 2018 Special Olympics #ImAGameChanger campaign. But before we can understand how Nihan has impacted her community, we must first recognize the hard work that went in to get her to this point.

Five years ago, Nihan was a sedentary, uninvolved young adult with a disability. Her parents, Ana and Saffet Uslu, encouraged her to re-engage in her community through an outlet of physical activity. And that’s how she became re-acquainted with “Ms. Gigi”.

Gigi Frack Eryt, the owner of Golden Monkey Yoga and Martial Arts Innovations in Covina, CA, nominated Nihan for the Game Changer campaign, exclaiming, “How can we not talk about this girl? She’s amazing!”

Calling All Choral Groups: Make History and Join the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games Opening Ceremony Choir

March 2, 2018 Rachel McQuiston

Renowned choral director Rafe Wadleigh to lead 2,018-member vocal ensemble

SEATTLE – March 2, 2018 – The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games unveiled today one of the entertainment elements of its upcoming Opening Ceremony on Sunday, July 1: a 2,018-member choir. Choral groups of all sizes from across the Pacific Northwest are invited to lend their voices to what will be one of the largest vocal ensembles ever assembled in Washington State.

The Opening Ceremony for the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will take place at Husky Stadium and celebrates the official start of six days of competition and events across Puget Sound. From July 1-6, more than 4,000 Special Olympics athletes, coaches and delegates representing every state in the U.S. and the District of Columbia will vie for medals in 14 individual and team sports.

The 2,018-member vocal ensemble will be led by choral director Rafe Wadleigh. Known for his musical versatility and strong command of both academic and popular music styles, Wadleigh is the director of choral music for the Middle and Upper Schools at Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma. He also serves as chair of the school’s performing arts department. Wadleigh has more than 20 years of experience directing choral ensembles, building music programs and performing.