Athletes from across the state will compete against their peers in their respective divisions (Photo: Sycamore High School)
For the first time since 2019, over 200 Special Olympics Tennessee athletes and Unified Partners representing 19 teams competed in the Special Olympics Tennessee (SOTN) State Flag Football Tournament on Saturday, October 1, 2022.
Athletes from across the state, including many from Cheatham County, traveled to Franklin Road Academy in Nashville to compete against their peers in their respective divisions. 10 of the 19 teams that participated were Unified Teams where Special Olympics athletes played with and against Unified Partners. Over 100 volunteers from around the community were present and helped the event run smoothly.
Cheatham County close to 50 athletes and Unified Partners take part in the Saturday afternoon event
(Photo: Sycamore High School)
“This event is so important to our Flag Football programs because of the high level of competition it brings,” said Cate Simon, SOTN Director of Competitions. “Our athletes are rock solid on the gridiron; spectators got to see serious competition from start to finish."
The free public event began with an opening ceremony at 8:30 AM with competitions beginning at 9:00 AM.
Special Olympics Tennessee (SOTN) is a state chapter of Special Olympics North America, a part of Special Olympics International. The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. SOTN offers 17 Olympic-style sports and is composed of 36 areas covering the entire state with volunteer leaders managing activities in those districts. Its state office is in Nashville, Tennessee.
Special Olympics Tennessee is a registered 501(c)(3), non-profit organization supported by private donations from individuals, corporations and organizations throughout the state. Special Olympics is “the most credible charity in America” according to a survey in the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Learn more about Special Olympics Tennessee.
