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Special Olympics Iowa (SOIA) will hold the 30^th Annual Winter Games in Dubuque Jan. 11-13 with more than 375 athletes from 47 delegations across the state set to compete in Alpine skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, short-track speed skating and figure skating.

Full Schedule of Events

More than 170 coaches and chaperones, along with more than 300 volunteers, will join the athletes and make the event a success. The Grand Harbor Center, Sundown Mountain, Albrecht Acres and Mystique Community Ice Center will host the competitions and activities.

“We are both proud and excited to celebrate 30 years of Winter Games with the city of Dubuque,” said SOIA CEO Gary Harms. “The people and businesses in this city have opened their arms and their hearts to our wonderful athletes, families, coaches, staff and volunteers for many years.  We are thrilled to return for this annual event, and look forward to celebrating many more years of Winter Games in Dubuque.”

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Special Olympics Iowa serves more than 12,000 athletes and Unified Sports Partners. Nearly 90 Special Olympics events and special programs are held each year throughout the state, giving athletes a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and talents.

Thousands of volunteers are utilized each year at both the area and state levels to facilitate and manage sports competitions for the athletes. The key volunteers for scheduling and implementing the area competitions are the area directors. These volunteers understand and promote the Special Olympics mission, goals and philosophies.

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The fall Fitness Improvement Training (FIT) athletes have found success with the FIT Program! Thirty-two athletes have completed the program thus far by finishing the pre-assessment, FITness training, and post-assessment.

These athletes are split between four delegations. Delegation 1 performed the 10-station assessment with an average improvement of 37.82 percent among its three athletes. Delegation 2 saw an overall average improvement of 24.92 percent in their modified 5-station assessment with sixteen athletes. Delegation 3 saw an average improvement of 19.13 percent for its five-station assessment as well as an average weight loss of 13.33 pounds per person with the three athletes! Delegation 4 improved by 11.42 percent with the 10-station assessment for 10 athletes.

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In the spirit of the holidays, Special Olympics Iowa is featuring 12 Days of Athletes throughout the month of December. In honor of these amazing athletes, please consider making your year-end donation to Special Olympics Iowa. If your donation is received by December 31, it will be DOUBLED!

DONATE NOW!

Name: Shania Turner – 2015 SOIA Challenge Day Athlete of the Year
Age: 18
Delegation: River Hills Cedar Falls, Northeast Area
SOIA sports I participate in: wheelchair basketball, bowling, volleyball, dice and darts at challenge days

What is your favorite part about Special Olympics? I am always surprised and happy to win awards.

What is a fun fact about yourself? I am a Room 1 Greeter and a friend to all!

What is your favorite part of the holiday season? I enjoy shopping, parties and friends!

In the spirit of the holidays, Special Olympics Iowa is featuring 12 Days of Athletes throughout the month of December. In honor of these amazing athletes, please consider making your year-end donation to Special Olympics Iowa. If your donation is received by December 31, it will be DOUBLED!

DONATE NOW!

Name: Ashley Gembler
Age: 30
Delegation: Hope Haven, North Area
SOIA sports I participate in: bocce, 50 yd. dash, shot put, softball throw and bowling

What does Special Olympics mean to you? I have the chance to go out and see and connect with people. I love to be around people.

What is a fun fact about yourself? I love to dance and sing karaoke.

What is your favorite part of the holiday season? Being able to see my family and friends, receiving presents and all the other social events that come with the holiday season.

In the spirit of the holidays, Special Olympics Iowa is featuring 12 Days of Athletes throughout the month of December. In honor of these amazing athletes, please consider making your year-end donation to Special Olympics Iowa. If your donation is received by December 31, it will be DOUBLED!

DONATE NOW!

Name: Dylan Jorgensen
Age: 12
Delegation: Sioux City Knights, Northwest Area
SOIA sports I participate in: bowling, unified golf, basketball skills, developmental basketball (3-on-3), soccer, softball, athletics (long jump, 4×100, 50 meter dash)

What does Special Olympics mean to you? It is fun and I get to be a part of a team. I get to play sports with my friends. I get to go to Iowa City where my favorite team is, the Hawkeyes, and to Ames to play sports and watch other friends play sports too.

What is a fun fact about yourself? I have been in the Scouts for 7 years and achieve my Tenderfoot rank in Boy Scouts this year. I have been with the Sioux City Knights since the delegation was formed. I love to mow yards and shovel snow. I enjoy cheering on the Sioux City Musketeers hockey team and Explorers baseball team.

What is your favorite part about the holiday season? Driving around looking at the Christmas lights with my mom and dad and sisters, selling trees for Boy Scouts, spend time with my papa during Christmas break, playing in the snow.

In the spirit of the holidays, Special Olympics Iowa is featuring 12 Days of Athletes throughout the month of December. In honor of these amazing athletes, please consider making your year-end donation to Special Olympics Iowa. If your donation is received by December 31, it will be DOUBLED!

DONATE NOW!

Name: Krisha Burk
Age: 34 (started Special Olympics at age six in Missouri before joining Iowa)
Delegation: Fort Madison, Southeast Area
SOIA sports participate in: athletics, bowling, basketball skills, basketball, speed walking, walking relay team, softball throw and swimming

What is your favorite part of Special Olympics? The competition – my mother was a basketball player so I love the friendly competition. Also seeing the new friends that I makes at Special Olympics.

What is a fun fact about yourself? I love All Star/WWE Wrestling and am a big Bloodhounds fan.

What is your favorite part about the holiday season? I like shopping and driving around to look at all of the lights!

In the spirit of the holidays, Special Olympics Iowa is featuring 12 Days of Athletes throughout the month of December. In honor of these amazing athletes, please consider making your year-end donation to Special Olympics Iowa. If your donation is received by December 31, it will be DOUBLED!

DONATE NOW!

Name: Anel Lisinovic
Age: 20
Delegation: Ankeny Centennial High School, West Central Area
SOIA sports I participate in: soccer, basketball skills, athletics and bowling

What is your favorite part of Special Olympics? Competing with my friends.

What is a fun fact about yourself? I am graduating this year!

What is your favorite part about the holiday season? Spending time with family.

In the spirit of the holidays, Special Olympics Iowa is featuring 12 Days of Athletes throughout the month of December. In honor of these amazing athletes, please consider making your year-end donation to Special Olympics Iowa. If your donation is received by December 31, it will be DOUBLED!

DONATE NOW!

Name: Brian Steinford
Age: 30
Delegation: Cedar Valley Ranch, East Central Area
SOIA sports I participate in: athletics, softball, basketball, football, volleyball and bowling

What is your favorite part of Special Olympics? Getting to meet new people and the competition!

What is a fun fact about yourself? I collect cologne.

What is your favorite part about the holiday season? Giving!

In the spirit of the holidays, Special Olympics Iowa is featuring 12 Days of Athletes throughout the month of December. In honor of these amazing athletes, please consider making your year-end donation to Special Olympics Iowa. If your donation is received by December 31, it will be DOUBLED!

DONATE NOW!

Name: Tim Elskamp
Age: 35
Delegation: Nancy’s Stars, East Area
SOIA sports I participate in:  alpine skiing, weight lifting, athletics, bowling and golf

What is your favorite part of Special Olympics? I love to see all my friends and get ribbons and medals.

What is a fun fact about yourself? I love the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Royals!

What is your favorite part about the holiday season? Spending time with my family.