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Rachel Miles and North Star Special teammate Jae-Unn Yoo run stride for stride during a heat of the 100-meter dash in the 2019 Special Olympics Allegheny County Summer Games at Baldwin High School Saturday, May 11, 2019 in Baldwin.
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Special Olympics of Pa. cancels its Summer Games; virtual experience in the works

Pam Panchak/Post-Gazette

Special Olympics of Pa. cancels its Summer Games; virtual experience in the works

The 2020 Summer Games of the Pennsylvania Special Olympics, originally scheduled for June in State College, have been canceled because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, Penn State University and Special Olympics said.

The Games were scheduled for June 11-13. The 10th annual “Be a Fan” Torch Run that precedes the competitions has also been canceled.

Special Olympics of Pennsylvania said it’s working with its statewide athlete leaders, PSU, the Summer Games volunteer committee and key sponsors to create a “virtual Summer Games” that will take place in June. Organizers said more details would be released when plans are firmed up.

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“While it is heartbreaking to announce this decision to cancel the Torch Run and Summer Games,” said Matthew Aaron, president and CEO of Special Olympics PA, “our hope is to capture the spirit of our athletes and volunteers via the Virtual Summer Games.

:The athletes of Special Olympics Pennsylvania and our coaches, families, Law Enforcement Torch Run partners, sponsors, and volunteers are an amazing and resilient group. We will come through this crisis stronger and more unified than ever!” he added.

This year would have marked the 33rd year that Penn State has hosted the Summer Games. 

First Published: April 17, 2020, 12:15 p.m.

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Rachel Miles and North Star Special teammate Jae-Unn Yoo run stride for stride during a heat of the 100-meter dash in the 2019 Special Olympics Allegheny County Summer Games at Baldwin High School Saturday, May 11, 2019 in Baldwin.  (Pam Panchak/Post-Gazette)
Pam Panchak/Post-Gazette
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